Need the right institutions and processes to override politics in curricular reforms

WITH only a few days before the start of classes for 2026 when children in grades one and six were to use the new learning modules they had received, the Cabinet decided to defer the implementation of the new modules for the sixth grade to 2027.

- By Dr. Sujata Gamage

This is clearly a response to the relentless criticism over social media and in street protests over a major blooper in one module and many other errors found in other modules intended for Grade 6. The blooper was adding a link to a same-sex dating site in the lesson on “Finding Friends.” One thing led to another and the Government panicked.

We may not have seen the end of the troubles for the reform process. The teachers and parents who have not come forward so far have started to make their voices heard in social media, protesting the deferment. With the erratic steps this Government has taken during the curricular reform process so far, we can expect more trouble.

It is easy to gloat over the fact this Government has been in the forefront of disrupting reforms, especially education reforms, and they deserve what is coming at them, but curricular reform is an area where institutions and processes should override politics and put a stop to this vicious cycle of opposition while in Opposition.

The root of the problem in the present situation is the arrogance of the ruling party despite glaring deficiencies on their part. The curricular reform crisis has indeed revealed the weak foundation on which these reforms are based, but instead of acknowledging them and fixing the problems, the Government has been defiant and combative. Whether the Government learns the policy lessons and prevents further rollbacks is up to the Government, but pointing out the deficiencies is civic duty.

Reset State institutions and processes and take responsibility

As soon as the blooper of adding a link to same-sex dating became news, the Minister claimed there was a conspiracy to discredit her and filed a complaint with the CID. For an outsider it was a clear indication of a leader not in control of her team and its operations.