A study led by the British Council on teacher mentoring in Sri Lanka improves professional practice and classrooms, with 8 out of 10 participants reporting increased confidence and skills
- Implementing a peer-to-peer mentoring programme, supported by the British Council, strengthened teacher collaboration and improved classroom management across the Leeds International Schools network in Sri Lanka.
- Peer mentoring encouraged pedagogical innovation and the sharing of best practices among educators across different branches, promoting a collaborative culture.
- “Distributed leadership not only improves teaching skills but also strengthens a culture of collaboration and trust within the classroom,” said Kaushalya Illeperuma, Coordinating Director of the Leeds International Schools Network.
Colombo, 09 December 2025: School-based research in Sri Lanka shows that pairing experienced teachers with newly recruited staff has created a professional learning culture based on peer support, reflective practice, and ongoing feedback—enhancing classroom management and teaching quality.
- 83% considered mentoring highly effective for professional growth and confidence.
- 82% reported significant improvements in collaboration, teamwork, and the exchange of ideas.
- Mentors observed clear improvements in classroom management and teaching techniques among new teachers.
Technology is transforming education and teachers continue to remain at the centre of learning. Through its Partner Schools programme, the British Council has supported 12 action research projects including one from Sri Lanka, exploring how both teaching and learning can be enhanced. Collectively, the findings offer practical insights to inform education policy and advance teacher development worldwide.
The education system in Sri Lanka is undergoing a transformation, aiming to ensure consistent teaching quality across geographically diverse regions. In this context, a British Council Partner School, Leeds International School (LIS)—a network of 15 English-medium schools—faced the challenge of maintaining high academic standards despite differences in teacher training and experience across its branches.
To address this, Kaushalya Illeperuma, Coordinating Director of the Leeds International Schools Network, conducted research focusing on how peer-to-peer teacher mentoring can strengthen professional development, foster collaboration, autonomy, and shared responsibility, and improve teaching practices across the school network.
As part of this research, a mentoring programme was implemented, pairing experienced teachers with newly recruited staff. The goal was to create a professional learning culture based on peer support, reflective practice, and ongoing feedback, enhancing classroom management and teaching quality.
Orlando Edwards, Country Director at British Council Sri Lanka said: “When teachers lead the way, technology becomes a bridge to opportunity. At the British Council, we believe that innovation in education starts with people — with teachers who guide, inspire, and help young minds thrive in a changing world.”
This project offers practical lessons for schools globally: prioritizing professional development and aligning mentoring programmes with local policies and student needs.. By combining local insight with rigorous research, the British Council advances inclusive and impactful approaches to education innovation worldwide.
In Sri Lanka, the British Council supports a network of 121 partner schools, delivering UK qualifications, improving education quality and transforming lives.
All 12 projects from the 2025 edition will be presented by the researchers during the online event Action Research Now! on 11–12 December 2025.
Link to register: https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/action-research-now-online-symposium-2025
