Creativity as a Strategic National Priority: A Call for Systemic Educational Reform in Sri Lanka
View(s):Sri Lanka’s education system, renowned for its impressive literacy rates and near-universal school enrolment, has long been held as a cornerstone of national progress. The constitutional commitment to free education has earned global accolades and inspired confidence in the nation’s approach to academic excellence. However, despite these successes, there exists an underlying issue: the systemic neglect of creativity and aesthetic skill development within the formal curriculum. This article argues that creativity should be repositioned as a strategic national priority and advanced as a central element of educational policy.
Creativity Matters
In today’s interconnected world, the paradigm of success has steadily shifted from mere knowledge acquisition to the ability to innovate and adapt. Creative capacities are fundamental to navigating the complexities of a knowledge-based economy. Countries like Finland have shown that when creative thinking is nurtured in schools, innovation flourishes. In contrast, rigid, exam-focused systems often stifle the very skills that matter most in the 21st century.
In schools under growing academic pressures, creative subjects provide essential relief and, more importantly, a space for self-expression, empathy, and social connection.
Creativity also encourages civic participation. When students engage in creative activities, they become more curious, confident, and community-minded—essential traits for building a vibrant, democratic society.
Despite progressive goals in national policy documents, creativity is still sidelined in Sri Lankan classrooms. The National Education Policy Framework (2020–2030) emphasises holistic development, but offers few specifics on how to embed creativity across the curriculum. The GCE O/L and A/L exams continue to reward memorisation over imagination.
Consequently, many students’ artistic talents and innovative thinking remain underdeveloped.
A Roadmap for Creative Education
If Sri Lanka is to move forward, we must rethink creativity not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Here is a five-step approach to making creativity a cornerstone of education reform:
1. Legal Recognition – Creativity must be recognised as a right within our national education laws. Aligning with international frameworks—such as UNESCO’s emphasis on cultural rights—can provide the legal basis for embedding creative education across schools. Such recognition will compel policy shifts and targeted investments.
2. Curriculum Reform and Innovation – We need a shift from content-heavy, exam-driven curricula to competency-based approaches that emphasise creative thinking. Creativity should not be limited to “aesthetic” subjects like art or music. Instead, problem-solving, innovation, and collaboration must be woven into all disciplines—from science to social studies. Curriculum development should involve creative professionals alongside educators, ensuring that pedagogy is relevant, interdisciplinary, and dynamic.
3. Investment in Resources – Modern creative education requires dedicated spaces, updated materials, and access to technology. Art rooms, music labs, performance spaces, and digital studios should be standard in all schools—not just elite urban ones. Public-private partnerships can help bridge resource gaps, particularly in underserved regions.
4. Inclusive and Ongoing Teacher Training – Even the best curriculum will fall short without skilled teachers. Pre-service and in-service training must include modules on creative pedagogy and arts-based learning. Universities and teacher training colleges should collaborate with the arts community to offer innovative teaching strategies. Continuous professional development and peer networks can ensure these skills are maintained and shared.
5. Monitoring, Research, and Continuous Improvement – To guide and sustain reform efforts, comprehensive data collection is essential. A national monitoring system should assess progress in creative education across schools, utilising both quantitative outcomes and qualitative insights.
A Call to Reimagine Education in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a proud history of educational achievement; however, as the world changes, so too must our approach. Creativity is not merely an extracurricular indulgence it is central to preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Strategic reform must begin now. By embedding creativity in law, curriculum, teacher training, infrastructure, and evaluation, we can build a system where every child’s imagination is valued and where learning becomes a truly transformative experience.
As the late Sir Ken Robinson once said, “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” This clarion call for creativity demands that we re-examine our educational priorities and rally behind systemic reforms that nurture the creative capacities of future generations. Only by acting decisively can Sri Lanka position itself as a trailblazer in the global education landscape, one where creative education is not an accessory, but the foundation upon which sustainable growth and national progress are built. The roadmap is clear. Through collaborative effort, legislative reform, and unwavering commitment to nurturing creativity, Sri Lanka can ensure that its students are not only academically proficient but are also dynamic, innovative, and culturally enriched individuals ready to meet the challenges of the future.
By Dr. Ayomi Irugalbandara
Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education,
Faculty of Education,
The Open University of
Sri Lanka
aiiru@ou.ac.lk
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