[Pre-Primary Education] Free Education Extended Until the End of 2026

The government will maintain the current situation. Education Minister Mahend Gungapersad confirmed on Friday, November 7, that the existing Grant-in-Aid formula for the pre-primary sector will remain unchanged until December 31, 2026.

This announcement follows a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee, which included Ajay Gunness, Ashok Subron, Anne Navarre-Marie, and Kaviraj Sukon. The committee presented its findings from discussions with key stakeholders in the sector to the Council of Ministers.

"We want to reassure parents, the public, and all early childhood stakeholders that nothing will change in the Grant-in-Aid formula until the end of 2026," stated the minister.

The Free Pre-Primary Education Scheme, which guarantees free pre-primary education in approved institutions, will continue to be implemented in its current form. This measure, introduced to support families and promote equitable access to education from an early age, currently benefits thousands of children across the island.

A revision of the system was considered starting January 2026. The initial plan proposed a fixed monthly allowance of Rs 2,750 per student to private pre-primary schools, with parents covering the remaining expenses. However, this proposal raised concerns among operators and families, fearing an increase in fees.

The ministry specifies that an in-depth consultation process will be relaunched in the coming months to develop a new formula that could take effect from January 1, 2027. "There will be ample time to listen to all stakeholders before making any final decision," assured Mahend Gungapersad.

In the meantime, the continuity of the current system provides relief for parents and school administrators who feared a premature reform that could increase the cost of early childhood education.