The Western Provincial Ministry of Education and the Mosvold Martinus Foundation (MMF) have formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate a comprehensive Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme in the Western Province. This initiative is designed to enhance the standards of preschool education and bolster the professional development of educators.
The MoU was signed by Wernon Perera, the Western Provincial Education Secretary, representing the Provincial Council. Nimal Martinus and Nilanka Martinus, both trustees of the MMF, also signed on behalf of the Foundation. The event was witnessed by Darshani Iddamalgoda and Ranjith Wijekoon.
This programme aims to assist 500 preschool teachers in enrolling in diploma courses provided by the National Institute of Education (NIE) or the Open University of Sri Lanka. Additionally, it will offer specialized training in play-based learning techniques to 1,000 preschool educators.
Submit Your Press Release
Get your company news, announcements, launches, appointments and events in front of a wider audience.
The initiative will also supply age-appropriate educational resources and reading materials for young children, set up two model Early Childhood Education centers, conduct awareness programs for parents, and facilitate the execution of a newly developed ECE Curriculum Framework by the NIE, while enhancing the governance structure of the sector.
The Mosvold Martinus Foundation expressed that this programme signifies its entry into the realm of early childhood education, complementing its ongoing scholarship and vocational training efforts. The Foundation emphasized the critical role of high-quality early childhood education in laying a solid groundwork for lifelong learning.
The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj, Colombo District MP Samanmali Gunasinghe, along with senior officials from the Western Provincial Council, representatives from the Governor’s Office, personnel from the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Education Division, and faculty members from the Open University of Sri Lanka.
In her address, Minister Paulraj highlighted the significance of early childhood education as the cornerstone of formal education and reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to enhancing the sector through strategic educational reforms. She underscored the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering early childhood development and in cultivating the nation’s human resources.
Furthermore, she pointed out that the Ministry of Education’s Director of Early Childhood Education oversees approximately 17,000 preschools and about 30,000 teachers, with nearly 70% of these institutions being privately operated. This scenario underscores the urgent need for a systematic monitoring system to guarantee quality, equitable, and inclusive preschool education across the country.
She welcomed the collaboration with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation in the Western Province, calling it a timely and important step toward supporting a sustainable development plan for early childhood education.
