Politics

A last-minute change to the Grade 6 English language module, part of new education reforms in Sri Lanka, was made without using the correct methods. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who leads the House, shared this information after an investigation by the National Institute of Education (NIE). The NIE set up a preliminary investigation committee to look into the use of an inappropriate website in the Grade 6 English module. The committee's findings led to the suspension of two female NIE officials. Additionally, the NIE's Deputy Director General was placed on compulsory leave on the 19th of this month due to the controversy surrounding the Grade 6 English module. During an interview on the Derana ‘360°’ program on the same day, Minister Rathnayake explained that the NIE had formed a committee to address this issue. The committee interviewed eight people, and disciplinary action is being taken against three of them. He noted that textbooks go through 12 checks and three rounds of proofreading before being reviewed by the NIE, with a final check before printing. When asked how such a mistake could happen despite this thorough process, Minister Rathnayake acknowledged the possibility of a conspiracy.