Over 730,000 Sri Lankan Students to Receive QR-Coded Shoe Vouchers for 2026: Full Cabinet Details
The 2026 Footwear Initiative: A Boost to Sri Lanka’s Education Welfare
This is more than just a donation; it’s a strategic, digitized welfare program. The vouchers are designed with a secure QR code which beneficiaries can scan using a mobile application developed by the Ministry. This ensures transparency and guarantees the benefit reaches the intended student, a major leap in modernizing state welfare distribution in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Professional Education has announced a major welfare initiative: the provision of footwear vouchers for selected students across Sri Lanka for the year 2026. This decision, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on October 21, 2025, aims to ease the financial burden on families and ensure every student begins the new academic year well-equipped.
Key Beneficiary Groups and Numbers
The program targets specific groups where the need for support is highest. The vouchers will be distributed to beneficiaries by the end of the 2025 school term.
| Category of Student | Number of Beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Students in schools with less than 250 students (Island-wide) | 644,000 |
| Students in Estate schools with 251–500 students | 53,093 |
| Students in 30 schools for special needs | 2,300 |
| Selected Lay and Clergy students from Pirivenas | 30,000 |
| Total Estimated Beneficiaries | 729,393 |
Why QR Codes? The Future of Welfare in Sri Lanka
The use of QR code vouchers is the most significant aspect of this 2026 student welfare program. It addresses traditional challenges like fraud and administrative delays. By utilizing a secure digital system, the Ministry ensures:
- Verification: Instant authentication of the voucher at the point of purchase.
- Efficiency: A smooth, swift distribution process before the next school term begins.
- Accountability: Clear tracking of every voucher disbursed.
The government’s commitment, driven by the proposal presented by the Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, is a clear sign of prioritizing student well-being and equitable access to education.
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