The Western Provincial Ministry of Education and the Mosvold Martinus Foundation (MMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a comprehensive Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme in the Western Province, aimed at improving the quality of preschool education and strengthening teacher capacity.
Western Provincial Education Secretary Wernon Perera signed the MoU on behalf of the Provincial Council, while MMF Managing Trustee Nimal Martinus and Nilanka Martinus signed on behalf of the Foundation. Darshani Iddamalgoda and Ranjith Wijekoon served as witnesses.
Under the initiative, 500 preschool teachers will be supported to pursue diploma programmes offered by the National Institute of Education (NIE) or the Open University of Sri Lanka, while 1,000 preschool teachers will receive specialised training in play-based learning methodologies.
The programme will also provide age-appropriate educational and reading materials for children, establish two model Early Childhood Education centres, conduct parental awareness programmes, and support the implementation of the newly introduced ECE Curriculum Framework developed by the NIE by strengthening the sector’s governance framework.
The Mosvold Martinus Foundation said the programme marks its expansion into early childhood education, adding to its existing scholarship and vocational training initiatives. The Foundation said it considers quality early childhood education essential to building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, Colombo District MP Samanmali Gunasinghe, senior officials of the Western Provincial Council, representatives from the Governor’s Office, officials from the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Education Division, and academics from the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Addressing the event, Minister Paulraj said early childhood education forms the foundation of formal education and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the sector through planned education reforms. She also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting early childhood development and building the country’s human capital.
She emphasised that early childhood education serves as the foundation for formal schooling and outlined the Government’s plans to strengthen the sector through proposed education reforms. She also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in investing in early childhood development to build the country’s human capital
Director of Early Childhood Education at the Ministry of Education has approximately 17,000 preschools with around 30,000 teachers, while nearly 70% of preschools are privately managed. She said this highlights the need for a systematic monitoring mechanism to ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive preschool education nationwide.
She also welcomed the Western Province’s partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation, describing it as a timely initiative to support a sustainable development plan for early childhood education.
