The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, after 25 years as a teacher and principal, it is a privilege to speak on education.

¶ 02 Education is the protective gear that lifts children from households where parents could not afford even slippers for them—it is the vehicle that carried the children of labourers in torn shirts into executive, managerial, and administrative ranks. It lit the path from village hardship to national leadership and transformed societies from superstition to scientific, humane, rights‑based progress. Education reduces class inequalities and fulfills Kannangara’s vision of equal opportunity.

¶ 03 This Government treats education and health as fundamental rights, not privileges dependent on parental wealth. The Budget shoulders state responsibility—supporting children at risk of dropping out, and those in probation, children’s homes, and shelters—by making the largest increase in allocations to education.

¶ 04 The Rs. 6,000 grant for learning materials has given hope to parents. Free footwear, uniform material, increased university support including additional stipends, higher Mahapola and bursaries, and school/ preschool nutrition with morning meals in low‑income areas are funded through education allocations.

¶ 05 Vocational education is essential alongside formal schooling, especially for those who stop schooling early. Rs. 15.4 billion is allocated to develop TVET.

¶ 06 To strengthen universities while aiding those unable to enter state universities, Rs. 2.78 billion is allocated for student loan schemes so they can pursue higher education elsewhere.

¶ 07 Teacher and principal welfare: the largest pay increase in history has been extended across the public service and includes teachers and principals, restoring dignity and recognizing their professional role, aiming for a more satisfied service.

¶ 08 As Minister of Women and Child Affairs, I stress gender equality through education and safe, sanitary school environments. We have allocated Rs. 1.4 billion to provide sanitary pads to schoolgirls over 13, ending the period‑related absenteeism and discomfort they faced. We are expanding capacity and facilities to encourage girls’ attendance.

¶ 09 We will also promote adult education—especially for women—in future budgets and programmes.

¶ 10 Preschool education must be integrated into the national education stream—from preschool to university—under the Ministry of Education, with curriculum modernization, diploma pathways for preschool teachers, and early childhood development standards. A joint committee with the Ministry of Education is working to resolve current gaps and elevate early childhood development.

¶ 11 Let me conclude by recalling Malala Yousafzai: extremists fear nothing more than a girl with a book. Education unsettles extremism. We commit to ensuring fair, universal education without discrimination, building the road for every Sri Lankan child to conquer their world.

¶ 12 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.