brand logo

15% Preschool teachers have no education qualifications

01 Apr 2021

  • Training to commence soon

A total of 15% of preschool teachers in Sri Lanka have no education qualifications, said the State Minister of Women and Child Development, Pre-School and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and School Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (31), De Silva said that the total number of preschools in the country is around 19,668, and that around 45,000 preschool teachers are employed islandwide. “However, 15% of them are not educated enough to teach children and some don’t even have the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level qualification. We need to change this system and educate the teachers as early childhood education holds a main part in our education system,” he said. According to the State Minister, the Government is planning to educate preschool teachers with distance learning facilities. “We would select the teachers who are less qualified and also the ones who have more than five years of experience and train them.” He added that the first stage of training would start soon. De Silva further said: “Being a preschool teacher requires joy for interacting with young children, and a desire to foster creativity and engagement. Preschool teachers prepare children to enter kindergarten by providing support, guidance, and learning activities. This career typically requires one to have some formal education or training and a state license.” Preschool teachers educate children between the ages of three and five. They provide preschool students with foundations for academic success and creative expression, while preparing them for kindergarten.


More News..