The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 In Sri Lanka, preschool education plays a decisive role in early childhood development. However, due to weaknesses in the regulatory framework and prevailing mechanisms in this sector, as well as the economic insecurity affecting preschool teachers’ profession, a range of problems has arisen. In such a situation, standardizing preschool curricula and introducing an appropriate regulatory mechanism for both community-based and privately-run preschools has become an urgent and common necessity to raise standards and protect quality in preschools.

¶ 02 Accordingly, I raise the following Questions to draw the Government’s attention to this specific sector:

¶ 03 1. Will the Government compile and submit to this House, at Divisional Secretariat level, a detailed report containing information on all preschools currently operating in the country, their locations, and the details of the relevant teachers and assistant teachers? If not, why?

¶ 04 2. What is the Government’s future plan to increase the current monthly allowance paid to preschool teachers?

¶ 05 3. Will the numbers of teachers currently receiving the monthly allowance be presented separately for the years 2024 and 2025? What is the procedure followed in paying this monthly allowance to preschool teachers?

¶ 06 4. Since the assumption of office by the new Government, how many preschool teachers have been removed from receiving this allowance? What are the reasons?

¶ 07 5. What measures have been taken by the Government to protect and enhance the economic and professional status of preschool teachers?

¶ 08 6. What steps has the Government taken to provide the necessary infrastructure to improve the quality of preschool education?

¶ 09 For clarity, this sector is sometimes referred to as “preschools” and sometimes as “early childhood education.” Both are used. In my view, “early childhood education” is the current terminology in use.

¶ 10 7. What is the proposed programme of the Government to introduce a pension scheme for preschool teachers?

¶ 11 8. It is reported that under the new education reforms, the Government expects to implement a single syllabus for all preschools. Has a programme been launched to inform all preschools and teachers accordingly?

¶ 12 9. Have trainings commenced for preschool teachers in line with new syllabi? What is the progress?

¶ 13 10. As delays are reported in the monthly payment of preschool teachers’ allowance, has the Government given attention to fixing a specific date for the payment? What measures have been taken?

¶ 14 11. Has the Government made a policy decision regarding the zoning and placement of Government and private preschools at the regional level? Through that, what is the mechanism to ensure job security for the current preschool teachers?

¶ 15 Thank you.