The Women and Child Affairs Minister, Saroja Savithri Paulraj stated the Government has undertaken numerous initiatives to strengthen early childhood development and care. She noted these initiatives are being implemented in line with the vision, “Secure World for Children – Creative Future Generation” as articulated in the Government’s policy statement.

She made these observations while addressing the closing session, titled “Looking Forward and Next Steps”, at the Global Caregiver Forum of this year (2026) held in Madrid, Spain. In her address, she outlined several key measures, including the “Step-Up” communication program aimed at promoting child health among young children; the introduction of a common curriculum for all preschools nationwide by next year (2027); the provision of formal training to 19,000 teachers; the implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Action Plan for Early Childhood Care and Development (last year [2025] – 2029); and a five-year program at the Provincial and District levels to support children with neurological disorders, including autism.

Furthermore, Paulraj emphasised the Government’s objective of transforming the role of caregivers from that of a mere “assistant” to a certified professional. She added that caregiving should not be regarded as an individual burden, but rather as a shared responsibility of both the State and the society.

She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring a secure and prosperous future for every child and caregiver by integrating global best practices into national policies.