Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariawasam has recently made a statement that a committee of experts comprising academics will be appointed shortly to look into restructuring several key areas in the Education sector. This would include the Grade 5 Scholarship programme and the eligibility criteria for Advanced Level classes in Government schools.

Grade 5 Scholarship programme has been under scrutiny for some time now; therefore the committee would be review about the proposals submitted to the Ministry is, to have the Scholarship exam in Grade 7 or, to make the Grade 5 exam syllabus easier.

The other matter the Committee would examine is whether to allow students who wish to follow the Arts stream for the exam, to be allowed to do so, even if they fail in Maths at the Ordinary Level exam.

Another matter under discussion by the Education authorities is the viability of completing the 45 students per class room rule starting 2017.

— NEWS–