Mosvold Martinus Foundation and Western PC sign MoU to strengthen early childhood education

The Provincial Ministry of Education of the Western Provincial Council and the Mosvold Martinus Foundation (MMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme in the Western Province.

The MoU reaffirms the shared commitment of both parties to achieving the programme’s objectives and strengthening collaboration to improve the quality of early childhood education in the province.

On behalf of the Western Provincial Council, the MoU was signed by Provincial Education Secretary Wernon Perera, with Darshani Iddamalgoda serving as witness. Representing the Mosvold Martinus Foundation, Founder/ Managing Trustee, Nimal Martinus and Nilanka Martinus signed the agreement, with Ranjith Wijekoon serving as witness.

Under the initiative, 500 preschool teachers will be supported to pursue diploma courses offered by the National Institute of Education (NIE) or the Open University of Sri Lanka. In addition, 1,000 teachers will receive training to strengthen play-based learning methodologies in their preschools.

The project will also provide educational and age-appropriate reading materials to support children’s development, establish two model ECE centres and conduct parental awareness programmes.

The initiative will further contribute towards strengthening the ECE governing framework to support the adoption and implementation of the newly introduced ECE Curriculum Framework developed by the NIE.

The MMF has identified early childhood education as a new intervention area, expanding beyond its earlier scholarship and vocational training programmes. The Foundation considers ECE a critical sector in establishing a strong foundation for lifelong learning among all citizens.

As a key milestone of the project, the event was attended by key stakeholders, including Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, Colombo District MP Samanmali Gunasinghe, senior officials of the Western Provincial Council, Provincial Education officials, officials from the Governor’s Office and Early Childhood Education Division of the Ministry of Education, and academics from the Open University of Sri Lanka at Nawala.

Minister Paulraj highlighted the importance of the ECE sector and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening and advancing early childhood education in Sri Lanka.

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.

The Minister further noted that quality ECE programmes supported by sustainable systems can create a lasting social impact.

The Director of Early Childhood Education at the Ministry of Education, highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing plans to enhance preschool teacher capacity development to ensure quality, equitable and inclusive early childhood education services without discrimination.

She noted that approximately 17,000 preschools operate in Sri Lanka, with around 30,000 teachers providing early childhood education services. Around 70% of these preschools are privately managed, underscoring the need for a systematic monitoring mechanism to maintain quality standards across the ECE sector.

The Director also appreciated the timely initiative taken by the Western Province in securing the support of the Mosvold Martinus Foundation to implement a sustainable early childhood education development plan.