The Hon. Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, I present the answer.

¶ 02 (a) (i) 17,152 (as at 31.03.2024).

¶ 03 (ii) A preschool warden must have passed six subjects at the G.C.E. (O/L) examination including the mother tongue and Mathematics, with at least “Credit” passes in three subjects; and must have obtained either a one-year Certificate Course or a Diploma in Early Childhood/Preschool Education from a recognized institution.

¶ 04 (iii) 30,536 in service - Number of diploma-qualified teachers: 23,371 - Number of teachers without diplomas: 7,165

¶ 05 (A group approved by Provincial Preschool Units/Authorities (based on length of service) and without diploma/certificate courses is also serving as preschool teachers.)

¶ 06 These data are as at 31.03.2024.

¶ 07 (iv) In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and the National Institute of Education, a subject framework and guidelines are being prepared, to be submitted to the National Committee for approval. This work is nearing completion. Yes.

¶ 08 (b) (i) Preschool education is one component under the broader field of Early Childhood Development (ECD). Ages 0–5 are recognized as the early childhood development period. During ages 3–5, opportunities for development are provided in preschools in a centre-based manner, and that is part of ECD. Early childhood development and early childhood education cannot be separated.

¶ 09 Therefore, the key stakeholder institutions — the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs; the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine (on nutrition); the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (on teacher standards and curriculum); and the Provincial Preschool Units — must work in coordination. Under existing laws and policy frameworks, the current position is:

¶ 10 - Registration of preschools and related authority is vested in Provincial Preschool Authorities/Units under the 13th Amendment. - Setting standards relating to preschool education is retained by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

¶ 11 Overall responsibility for early childhood care and development lies with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, as affirmed by the National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Development (2018). Accordingly, the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs as the central body to oversee and regulate ECCD.

¶ 12 At present, the Ministry of Education, with the participation of the subject Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Provincial Preschool Education Units, is formulating a Preschool Education Policy. The National Institute of Education is developing teacher guidelines and conducting relevant training.

¶ 13 Effective development of preschool education requires the essential coordination among the Ministry of Education, the Provincial Preschool Authorities, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine.

¶ 14 (c) Not applicable.