The Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that more than 600 schools across three provinces affected by the recent cyclone will remain closed throughout the third term of the 2025 academic year. As a result, students studying in Grades 6 to 10 at these institutions will be promoted to the next grade without sitting for term-end tests.
According to the ministry, at least 640 schools were identified as being directly impacted by the disaster, with infrastructure damage and safety concerns preventing the resumption of regular academic activities. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, confirmed that regional education officers have been formally instructed not to conduct third-term examinations for the affected grades. He said the decision was taken to ensure continuity in education while prioritising student safety amid ongoing recovery efforts.
Sri Lanka’s public education system typically follows a three-term academic calendar, although implementation varies across institutions. The disruption has significantly affected government-run schools, particularly in rural and hill-country regions that bore the brunt of the cyclone’s impact.
Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the National Council for Disaster Management on Monday, acknowledging the scale of destruction in the central hill areas, which were among the worst-hit regions. He said the government is working on a comprehensive plan aimed at preserving and stabilising these vulnerable areas, signalling a longer-term approach to disaster mitigation alongside immediate relief measures.
Education officials have stressed that the decision to waive examinations is an emergency measure, taken in light of extraordinary circumstances. Authorities continue to assess damage to school infrastructure while coordinating with disaster management agencies to facilitate repairs and ensure safe conditions before reopening.
The move underscores the far-reaching consequences of climate-related disasters on public services in Sri Lanka, particularly education. As recovery efforts continue, the promotion policy highlights the government’s attempt to balance academic progression with the realities of large-scale disruption, while raising broader questions about resilience and preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent natural calamities.
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