For many decades, Sri Lanka implemented a free education policy, expanded the number of facilities and supported student welfare by providing free mid-day meals, subsidized transport, free textbooks and uniforms. The goal was to ensure inclusive and equitable quality general education for every school-age child in the country.

The sudden economic downturn after the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to the education sector, and particularly affected schoolchildren: School closures caused not just substantial learning losses but also gaps in the holistic development of children. Fiscal austerity and an increase in poverty rates led to fewer resources allocated to education.

In this context, Sri Lanka is seeking to collaborate with GPE and other development partners, with a view to identify strategies to tackle the identified challenges and build resilience in the education system.