Our goal is to establish a ’closed service’ that upholds the professional dignity of preschool teachers and administrators.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government will directly intervene to transform the existing informal early childhood education system by enhancing its quality and professionalism and committed to ensuring the professional security of everyone currently serving in the preschool sector.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the national programme for early childhood educators and caregivers held on 16 July at Temple Trees to mark the third day of the 2026 National Early Childhood Care and Development Week, organised under the theme, "Towards a Developing Child World – A Sunbeam, a Happy Family."
The programme brought together more than 600 preschool teachers representing all districts of the island. It also featured an expert panel discussion on the role of teachers and caregivers in creating a nurturing environment that promotes preschool children’s social and emotional development and social integration.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
Early childhood is the most critical stage in determining a child’s future, personality, and their perspective on the world. The Government is taking direct measures to transform the existing informal early childhood education system by enhancing its quality and professionalism. Early childhood education should be essential and compulsory for every child, and we are currently formulating a National Education Policy that recognises it as the first stage of the education system. The Government has no intention whatsoever of removing any teacher currently serving in early childhood development centres or preschools. Instead, we are committed to ensuring that all existing teachers are recognised as qualified professionals with equal standards and recognised credentials.
It is particularly important to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities and neurodivergent children-those with diverse learning patterns and cognitive differences-into mainstream society. Special attention must be given to this area.
It is unfortunate that many places where children spend their time still lack basic infrastructure such as toilets and adequate sanitation facilities. The Government is committed to addressing these shortcomings and improving the necessary infrastructure.
The dedication of preschool teachers and administrators who continue to serve despite numerous challenges deserves recognition. The Government remains committed to protecting their professional dignity.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, addressing the event, stated:
Ninety per cent of a child’s brain development takes place within the first five years of life. The experiences and skills acquired during this period become the foundation upon which their future is built. As the poet Kahlil Gibran reminds us, children belong to tomorrow, and therefore adults must be flexible enough to guide them towards the future. For many years, preschool education has functioned as a self-employed occupation outside a clearly defined government framework. Through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, we are now taking all necessary steps to establish it as a recognised ’closed service’ with a formal professional structure under the responsibility of the Government. At present, this profession begins and ends with the individual practitioner. It is not yet a recognised public service with formal appointments or an appointing authority. Likewise, no formal retirement or termination mechanism currently exists. We are intervening to ensure that preschool teachers are recognised in the same way as other government-recognised professionals. I assure you that no one currently serving in this sector will be excluded, and your professional security will be ensured.
The occasion was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament Hemali Weerasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Tharangani Wickramasinghe, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials representing the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Education, together preschool teachers from across the country.
Prime Minister’s Media Division