The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Minister, I’m satisfied with your candid answer. However, it shows that less attention is paid in ECD than in general education to children with disabilities who have special educational needs. We treat every child as a child—disabled or not. If disabilities are identified early and development commenced promptly, we can create productive citizens. Therefore, with hospitals, MOH offices and the health system, a national process to screen and assess the nature and degree of disability and direct children to preschool education is needed, with a scientific approach. For such an approach, your Ministry must maintain a strong data system. I’d like to know the steps being taken to build that system.