STATUS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT IN SRI LANKA

Early Childhood Care and Development in Sri Lanka The Children’s Secretariat is the Focal point of the Early Childhood Care and Development in Sri Lanka. It comes under the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs. Children’s Secretariat developed the National policy on Early Childhood Care and Development in 2004. Under this National ECCD policy, Children’s Secretariat, promoting Early Childhood care and Development 0 to 5 years of children. Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health has the ECCD strategic plan to promote Health, Nutritional Status and psychosocial development of children. Ministry of Education has the action plan for 5 to 8 children.

Vision and Mission of the ECCD National policy Vision of the ECCD National policy Ensure the right of every Sri Lanka child to start life healthy, be nurtured in a safe, caring and stimulating environment that enables him or her to be physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally secure, socially competent and intellectually able to learn. Mission of the ECCD National policy To attain optimal survival , growth and development of all Sri Lankan children by providing a safe, caring and conducive environment in the home and other settings, well supported by a comprehensive and integrated system of early childhood care and Development services.

Ares of action Build knowledge and skills of care Caregivers to promote Optimal Child Survival, Growth and Development. Improve and Expand Training Opportunities for Service Providers. Community based Child Development Centers. Children with Special needs.

The Management structure Activities related to Early Childhood Care and Development is multifaceted. Accordingly, over the years different Ministries and Department have shared responsibility for providing intervention programmes to promote early Childhood Care and Development. There are very active non government organizations in this field as well. Therefore, we have established strong management structure.

National coordination committee on ECCD Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affaires, Ministry of Health, Mini. of Education, Mini of Social welfare, Mini. Of Provincial council and local government, Mini. of Defense , Mini. Of Indigenous medicine, Representative of relevant donor agencies 9 members from 9 provincial councils. NGO and private sector in field ECCD. 25 members for National committee. There are several sub committees under the National ECCD committee.

Provincial, District and Divisional system Provincial co-ordination committee on ECCD (09 provinces) 15 members for the provincial committee. (Government sector and non government sector) District co-ordination committee on ECCD. (25 District ) 15 members for District committee Divisional co-ordination committee on ECCD ( 335 Divisions ) Village committee on ECCD (including govt. officers and the community)

ECCD National Policy programmes and projects Introducing Guidelines for Early Childhood Development Centers. ( around 16000 pre schools in Sri Lanka) Conducting Pre school teachers training programmes. Developing pre schools as child friendly centers. Conducting pre school diploma course. The Children’s Secretariat has been registered ECCD diploma institutions in national level. The Children’s Secretariat is conducting a special project for giving fresh milk to pre school children .

ECCD National Policy programmes and projects Conducting home based ECCD programme. Conducting awareness programmes for parents, Government officers, youth groups, and general public on ECCD. The Children’s secretariat conducting surveys on pre schools. Completed Early Childhood Development Standards for 3-5 year children.( 0-3 standards is being preparing by the Family Health Bureau, and 5-8 is being preparing by the National Institute of Education) Introduced National ECCD week on 14th December to 20th December in every year. Developing ECCD trust fund for pre school teachers.( It is on going process

ECCD National Policy programmes and projects Special project for developing pre schools in Northern province and Eastern province.( Special focus on war effected area) Introducing ECCD model villages. Special project for developing pre schools with the support of Hemas Holding pvt ltd National ECCD act is being preparing by the Ministry of Child Development & Women’s Affairs.

Easy Transition to Formal Education (05 to 8 years) Responsible (National Institute of Education) Curriculum policy for easy transition Structure of Primary Education cycle Key stage 01- Grade 01. Children in six years old. Grade 02. Children of seven years old. Key stage 02- Grade 03. Children in 08 years old. Grade 04. Children of 09 years old Key stage 03- Grade 05. Children in 10 years old.

Easy Transition to Formal Education (05 to 8 years) One lady teacher for key stage 01 Learning methodologies for Key Stage1 More guided play, more activities and less desk work Play house activities for first two weeks of grade 1 enrolment Pre-language and mathematics skills in first term of grade1 curriculum Teacher’s accountability for achieving 42 ELC’s of KS1

Role of department of ECD and Primary Education of NIE Development and implementation of Primary Education curriculum Training of Provincial Teacher Trainers Conducting ECD and Research Center to assist ECD teacher training Conducting one year Diploma in ECD (Early Child Care and Protection is a main subject) Planning to conduct study on Early Childhood Development Standards for Grade1 (6 years)

Access Policy Responsibility (Ministry of Education (MOE) Implementation of Government’s free test book and free uniform policies Monitoring of implemented curriculum, school enrolment activities, and KS1 ELCs Implementing education for all - monitoring guidebook to empower inclusive education and access policy implementation Free meals for school children of unprivileged social groups Develop special 5000 model primary schools with play areas and other physical facilities by 2015

Health and Nutrition Policy Responsibility (Ministry of Health) Conducting compulsory schools health and nutrition programme by School Health Bureau. Development of ECD standards (0-3 years) Home based ECD programmes.