Second Phase of Third School Term Begins Today, Some Provinces Remain Closed

The second phase of the third school term for 2025 officially begins today (16) for all government and government-approved private schools, as well as Pirivenas, the Ministry of Education announced.The reopening had originally been scheduled for December 8 but was postponed due to adverse conditions triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. Under the revised academic calendar, the second phase of the third term will run until December 22, after which schools will close for the Christmas holidays from December 23 to December 28.

Classes for the third and final phase of the third term will resume on December 29 and continue until December 31, marking the conclusion of academic activities for the term.

School holidays will then be observed from January 10 to January 20 to accommodate examinations for remaining subjects of the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination. The second phase of the first school term in 2026 is scheduled from January 21 to February 13, followed by holidays from February 14 to March 2 for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination.

However, the Ministry of Education confirmed that 640 schools in three provinces will not reopen today. Secretary to the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, stated that schools in the Uva, Central, and North Western provinces will remain closed due to prevailing conditions.

Meanwhile, transport authorities have introduced special measures to support students in disaster-affected regions. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) said it will continue to provide free transport services for schoolchildren in impacted areas for the remainder of the year. SLTB Chairman Sanjeewa Nandana Kanakaratne noted that additional bus services have been deployed to meet student travel needs.

The Railway Department has also arranged several extra train services to assist schoolchildren during the coming days. These services will operate along the Main Line, Coastal Line, Puttalam Line, and Kelani Valley Line. Additionally, students will be allowed to travel throughout December using their November school season tickets, the Department said.