Sri Lanka today launched the National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education, a major step in strengthening the country’s early learning system.

The launch ceremony was held at the Ministry of Education under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The framework, developed by the National Institute of Education (NIE), was simultaneously introduced on the NIE’s official Channel NIE website (channelnie.nie.ac.lk). It aims to address long-standing disparities in early childhood education, establish a nationally aligned curriculum for all early learning centres, and promote the holistic development and well-being of young children in Sri Lanka.

As part of broader national education reforms, the National Policy on Pre-School Education was prepared and validated through collaboration between the National Education Commission, NIE, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Health Promotion Bureau, Family Health Bureau, Open University of Sri Lanka, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, and UNICEF Sri Lanka.

The pre-school education policy is set to come into effect in 2027. Ahead of its implementation, a “training of trainers” programme will be held next week at the MAS Athena Institute in Tulhiriya, conducted jointly by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and NIE, with financial and technical support from UNICEF.