The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson, for the opportunity.

¶ 02 First, a response to the previous Member regarding the Dehiwala Muslim school: If funds were allocated, it was through my 2025 decentralized funds. We intend to further develop it into a strong Muslim school. There is a capacity issue; as part of the tri-lingual school development project, we have provided a temporary solution by attaching the excess students to Jayasinghe Central College, and we are working on a permanent solution. We will certainly develop this school.

¶ 03 Now, on my intended theme—education is about giving wings to children, but not broken wings. We must provide strong wings. As Maria Montessori said, the aim of early childhood education is to stimulate the child’s natural desire to learn. To activate that natural inclination, we are implementing multiple measures.

¶ 04 To build a virtuous citizen, we must ensure quality education through a quality process—this begins in early childhood. Our policy statement “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” sets out early childhood development clearly: we will provide structured early childhood education to all children aged 3–5.

¶ 05 What have we done this year? - We launched the National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education on 21.11.2025—Sri Lanka now has a national framework for ECCE. - We will soon introduce the National Policy Framework for Pre-school Education, now submitted for ministerial approval. - We are establishing a National Early Childhood Development Regulatory Authority to regulate ECCD centers. Early childhood moved to the Education Ministry only in November 2024; within a year we developed the curricular framework—unprecedented. - We are forming a National Early Childhood Development Unit, coordinating the Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry, Provincial Councils, Health Ministry, and Education Ministry.

¶ 06 We will stipulate minimum educational qualifications for pre-school administrators and teachers, register them, and provide required training and remuneration frameworks.

¶ 07 On support: - The pre-school teacher allowance was increased by LKR 1,000 to LKR 6,000 per month. - The pre-school child meal allocation of LKR 60 per day was introduced and is being implemented, with a strengthened nutritional guideline for 2025. - From 25.11.2025, we commenced a 4-day Training of Trainers program to enhance teacher capacity, with significant funding at central and provincial levels. For example, Western Provincial Council has allocated LKR 40 million for pre-school teacher capacity development; across provinces, over LKR 360 million is allocated.

¶ 08 Yesterday, several pre-school teacher unions met the Hon. Prime Minister (as Education Minister) seeking pensions, loan schemes, and professional certification. We are discussing these at various levels; the Prime Minister has pledged to reach decisions with the Finance Ministry.

¶ 09 On overall education financing: In 2023, education spending was 1.6% of GDP. Now we have increased it to about 2.4%—around LKR 703 billion—the highest in history.

¶ 10 On physical resources: We will not simply close or open schools; we will manage physical and human resources optimally through zonal structures, ensuring water, sanitation, and electricity. We aim to complete key deficits this and next year and convert classrooms to smart classrooms so schools become places children love to attend.

¶ 11 On past ad-hoc midstream admissions to Grades 2–11: In previous years, 724 students were admitted in 2024 through non-transparent, varied methods without a common circular, plus over 1,000 more in various manners—sometimes via secret Cabinet decisions. We have introduced a new transparent circular for 2025. I can state responsibly that in 2025 no political requests were made to the Secretary for admissions. This is the change people expect—fairness for all students and professionals.

¶ 12 Thank you.