This book is the product of discussions in many seminars and conferences about primary education reform introduced on a pilot basis in the Gampaha district in 1998, and nationwide in 1999. The publication addresses: the goals of the current reforms in primary education; the current characteristics of primary education on schools; changes in the primary education curriculum and the assessment of learning; the results of early evaluation of the reforms introduced in the Gampaha district in 1998; teachers’ attitudes, behaviours and professional development needs; the costs and financing of primary education; the role played by the external donor community in providing resources for primary education.