Prime Minister Calls for Greater Focus on Children’s Mental Well-being and Protection
August 20, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has urged parents and teachers to recognise the importance of school holidays as a period for children to rest, relax and enjoy time away from academic pressures.
Speaking during the Second Reading debate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill, the Prime Minister said safeguarding children’s mental well-being must form an integral part of the Government’s wider child protection strategy.
She said children should have sufficient freedom during school vacations rather than being subjected to excessive academic demands, stressing that rest and recreation are essential to healthy development.
Amarasuriya also highlighted concerns over children leaving the formal education system, particularly boys who increasingly appear to be dropping out after the age of 16. She said young people who fail to complete the full 13 years of schooling could face greater exposure to exploitation, harmful influences and difficulties when entering the workforce without adequate skills or qualifications.
The Government’s education reforms are intended to address some of these challenges by creating a safer and more supportive school environment. A new curriculum was introduced for Grade 1 this year, with revised curricula for Grades 2 and 6 scheduled for introduction in 2027.
The Prime Minister said Rs.1.9 billion had been allocated this year to improve infrastructure in primary education, with selected schools being upgraded to better meet children’s needs.
She also pointed to the launch of the C2 Centres initiative, designed to strengthen psychosocial support within schools. The centres are intended to provide counselling and safe spaces where students can discuss personal difficulties and seek assistance.
Teacher training for the programme has already begun, with the Prime Minister commending educators for their involvement in efforts to improve children’s emotional and psychological well-being.
Amarasuriya said child protection must extend beyond the classroom and encompass every setting in which children interact. This includes early childhood education, nutrition and transport.
As part of reforms to preschool education, a common curriculum and accompanying teachers’ handbook have been developed, with training for preschool educators beginning this week ahead of nationwide implementation next year.
She also referred to measures aimed at improving the nutritional standards of food provided to children, with health authorities issuing guidance on suitable and unsuitable foods and the Education Ministry monitoring implementation.
School transport safety is another area receiving attention, with the Government preparing requirements for vehicles carrying students. The proposed standards include measures such as seat belts and security cameras to improve protection during journeys.
The Prime Minister said the various initiatives formed part of a broader effort to close gaps in Sri Lanka’s child protection framework and address circumstances that place children at risk.
Concluding her remarks, Amarasuriya appealed to adults to remember that children need time away from structured learning.
She said holidays should allow young people to recover mentally and physically, and urged parents and teachers to resist placing unnecessary academic pressure on them during school breaks.
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