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

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, this is the reply to the Question asked by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) on 2025.11.25.

¶ 02 1. The total number of preschools across Sri Lanka is 18,982. I will table a report on preschools by Divisional Secretariat division.

¶ 03 To improve quality in the preschool sector, we have increased the stipend. The allowance paid to preschool teachers was increased by Rs. 6,000 from last June, Hon. Leader of the Opposition.

¶ 04 For the current monthly allowance: (i) Number of eligible preschool teachers in 2024 — 15,669. (ii) Number of eligible preschool teachers in 2025 — 15,833. (iii) As per Women and Child Development Circular 02/2021 issued by all District Secretaries on 2021.06.03, the allowance is paid to preschool teachers meeting the criteria.

¶ 05 No eligible preschool teacher included for the stipend has been excluded from receiving it.

¶ 06 We have prepared the preschool curriculum. In addition, initial steps have commenced to train teachers in line with that curriculum. A procedure has been set up to register all preschool teachers and their preschools. Individuals have followed different diploma courses; to enhance professionalism, we are regulating these diplomas to bring them to a common standard. For their professional security and economic stability, we are proceeding to provide a Rs. 6,000 allowance.

¶ 07 Under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, preschools are a Provincial subject. Hence, preschools are regulated by Provincial Preschool Units or Early Childhood Development Authorities. Since the nine Provincial Councils operate different preschool statutes and policies, we are working to bring all under a single national preschool programme via a National Policy and a National Statute.

¶ 08 The National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs introduced basic standards for preschools in 2006. To bring every preschool to the same level under those standards, we are discussing providing necessary grants and loans for infrastructure development. Through local government institutions, we are implementing programmes to provide all required infrastructure, equipment, play areas and learning aids for children to preschools under their purview.

¶ 09 Although there is currently no pension scheme for preschool teachers, in line with the National Multisectoral Strategic Action Plan for Early Childhood Care and Development (NMSAP-ECCD) 2025-2029 and the minimum wage-setting process, steps are planned to be taken regarding this matter.

¶ 10 As we have introduced a contributory pension scheme for the public, we have proposed a contributory pension scheme for preschool teachers as well. Some retired teachers already receive an allowance through Provincial Councils from certain provincial preschool units. Although allowances differ by Province, we are working to propose a uniform contributory pension scheme.

¶ 11 The National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education has been prepared by the National Institute of Education and issued in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Accordingly, preliminary activities to conduct preschool teacher training will commence.

¶ 12 The proposed preschool education policy is to be implemented from 2027 — that is, next year. The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the National Institute of Education jointly commenced preschool teacher training on 2025.11.24.

¶ 13 (i) If issues arise at district or divisional level, the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development will intervene.

¶ 14 Regarding the date of stipend disbursement: funds are released from the Treasury through our Ministry to Provincial Units quarterly. The date of payment is then determined by the respective Provincial preschool units.

¶ 15 On government and private preschools: under the 13th Amendment, the authority for preschool registration lies with the Provincial preschool units. Standards relating to preschool education and its regulation fall under the Ministry of Education. Overall regulation of Early Childhood Development is undertaken through the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development.

¶ 16 Thank you.