World Vision and North Central Province collaborate to improve early childhood education

World Vision Lanka and Early Childhood Education Development Authority (ECEDA), North Central Province recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve education in the North Central Province.

Through this collaboration with the Ministry of Education, North Central Province, the partnership will focus on improving the quality of Early Childhood Education by providing training for preschool teachers, capacity building of ECEDA and support for ensuring the sustainability of the community based pre-school mechanism.

In his address, Education Minister for the North Central Province K.H.Nandena said, “World Vision has been working in Kebethigollewa, Galenbindunuwewa and Horowpathana for many years and has done a lot for the communities there. We are glad that World Vision is continuing to support us to improve early childhood education in the North Central Province.”

Through its key interventions in the education sector, World Vision will also work with ECEDA to facilitate the promotion of life-skills education at community level.

The partners exchanged the MOU in the presence of First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse at an event held at the North Central Provincial Council Auditorium. Mrs. Rajapakse also launched the website of the ECEDA, which was developed with the support of World Vision. The website will enable the ECEDA to connect with external stakeholders and also share resources on Early Childhood Education.

“World Vision has a long presence in the North Central Province, focusing on the most vulnerable children, families and communities. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCD) is one of the most important initiatives in ensuring a solid foundation to achieving a full education for the children of Sri Lanka. This partnership builds on the work already done and will help to ensure sustainability of the pre-school and ECCD initiatives undertaken,” said World Vision National Director Suresh Bartlett, speaking about the collaboration.

The goal of World Vision’s education sector is to educate children for life. In achieving this, World Vision works through 42 Area Development Programmes by focusing on Early Childhood Care and Development, primary and secondary education which includes special education, development of life skills, entrepreneurial skills and vocational training, and education for school dropouts and children living in vulnerable contexts.