Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that special attention must be directed towards ensuring the quality and safety of early childhood education for children in a critical age group and further emphasized the need to establish a systematic programme aligned with the National Early Childhood Development Curriculum Framework, to be implemented through government-registered Early Childhood Development Centres staffed with properly trained teachers.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on November 24 at the Parliament Complex with members of the Vishva Preschool Teachers’ Association representing the Gampaha, Colombo, Kalutara, and Ratnapura districts.
The discussion focused on the selection of qualified trainers to train instructors in line with the National Early Childhood Development Curriculum Framework, providing structured training for preschool teachers, and holding discussions with the Salaries Commission on introducing allowances and a contributory pension scheme for preschool teachers.
Attention was also drawn to regulating preschools, ensuring that children receive structured early childhood education through government-registered preschools, and establishing proper coordination between the government and preschools through Early Childhood Development Officers.
The meeting further addressed matters such as developing a curriculum aligned with the National Early Childhood Development Curriculum Framework, improving preschool infrastructure facilities, resolving issues faced by preschool teachers, and enhancing their overall welfare.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana, and Member of Parliament Samanmali Gunasinghe.
Prime Minister’s Media Division