Committee formed to develop national early childhood education policy
- CNL Reporter
- February 2, 2025
- Political
- Committee formed to develop national early childhood education policy
- 0 Comments
The first step in developing a National Policy on Early Childhood Education and Development was launched at the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Namal Sudarshana participated in the event.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed the urgent need for a national policy on early childhood development, emphasizing that it should be universally applicable to both the central government and provincial authorities.
Discussions centered around the importance of unifying the varying early childhood education institutions across the country under a common policy framework. The Prime Minister directed officials to develop the necessary policies and prepare an integrated policy statement in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education. This policy statement will eventually be approved within a legal framework.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also outlined that the policy should encompass all aspects of early childhood development, including teacher guidelines, training, salaries, and recruitment exams. She added that the new policy would be rolled out alongside the upcoming education reforms.
A formal committee, comprising Secretaries and officials from the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, will be established to compile the policy.
The Prime Minister further highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of preschool children during after-school hours, including evenings and teacher holidays.
The event was attended by K.D.R. Olga, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Nalaka Kaluwawa, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, along with other key officials.
