COLOMBO, Nov. 17 -- A staggering 80% of Sri Lankan children in Grades 3 and 8 lack foundational skills in mathematics and literacy, leaving them at risk of becoming unemployable in the future, UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Emma Brigham has warned.

Speaking on the latest episode of UNplugged, a United Nations Sri Lanka digital series, Brigham said the country's education system is failing to equip students with even the most essential competencies.

"That means they can't go on to enter the workforce, and Sri Lanka simply isn't able to compete with other countries that have really experienced graduates," she said.

Brigham attributed the crisis to chronic underinvestment in the education sector, resulting in outdated curricula, limited ...