Government Moves to Standardise Preschool Education and Elevate Early Childhood Development

January 11, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya announced that the Government has begun implementing a series of measures to bring preschool education under a structured national framework, with the aim of improving quality, consistency and long-term outcomes for children.

She made these remarks yesterday (10) at Temple Trees while attending the launch of the National Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion, an initiative designed to encourage positive social and behavioural change among young children. The programme is a collaborative effort involving several state institutions, UNICEF and the Clean Sri Lanka Programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored the decisive role early childhood development plays in shaping a country’s human capital. She noted that the foundations of learning, behaviour and wellbeing are laid within the first five years of life, and that experiences during this period have a lasting impact well into adulthood.

Dr Amarasuriya stressed that nurturing a child cannot be seen as the responsibility of parents alone, but rather as a shared duty of society. The way adults engage with children, respond to their needs and provide care, protection and education collectively shapes the kind of citizens they become. For this reason, the Government views childcare as a broader social responsibility, supported through public policy and national programmes.

Highlighting the importance of preschool educators, she said teachers play a defining role during a child’s formative years, as their care, attention and emotional support directly influence development. She confirmed that an early childhood education policy has been formulated with technical assistance from UNICEF, and that steps are under way to introduce a unified preschool curriculum, standardised teacher training and clear quality benchmarks across the sector. Early childhood development, she added, is now being recognised as a specialised field within the education system, warranting targeted interventions.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, also speaking at the event, said the standardisation and advancement of early childhood development has been identified as a key priority for 2026. She emphasised that young children arrive at preschools seeking the same sense of safety and affection they receive at home, and that teachers carry a profound responsibility in creating a nurturing environment that fosters empathy, respect and emotional security.

Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa noted that the Government’s broader objective is to raise a healthy and resilient future generation capable of leading the country forward. He pointed out that promoting lifelong health must begin early, particularly in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. With today’s preschool children forming the young adult population of the 2040s, he said sustained and comprehensive interventions — even extending to preconception and prenatal stages — are vital.

He concluded by stressing that preschool and early childhood educators stand at the forefront of shaping a transformative future for the nation.

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