The study focuses on the obstacles encountered in Sri Lanka during the implementation of a major educational reform program between 1960 and 1964. A proliferation of schools along racial, religious, linguistic, and class lines had led to inequality of educational opportunity, and inefficient organization and location of schools. School networks were consolidated and grades restructured into a first and second level. The experience was examined in five small compact geographical units having urban and semi-urban characteristics as well as in two rural electorates of much larger area. The evaluation is based on a survey undertaken in these areas among a cross-section of headmasters, teachers, and parents, and on the author's assessments. In the first chapter evolution of policy on school location is traced, the accumulation of problems is described and the reform proposals are examined. In the second chapter, an overview of the main findings and conclusions with regard to implementation problems are given. In the third and final chapter the details of the seven case studies are set out. (Author/MLF)