• Move follows public complaints and social media concerns  

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs yesterday (14) issued a statement discouraging online teaching programmes for children aged between three and five, stating that such methods are contrary to the principles of educational psychology and child development.

The statement was issued in response to growing public concern over online seminars and programmes targeting preschool and kindergarten children, according to the ministry. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Media Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Thanuja Sri Narayana said the move followed increasing discussions on social media and several public complaints about young children being taught online.

“There has been a surge of online posts and discussions suggesting that kindergarten children are being taught through online platforms. Most of the public responses to these posts have been negative,” Narayana said. 

According to the ministry, educational psychology indicates that children between the ages of three and five learn best in activity-based environments that involve direct social interaction.

In its statement, the ministry noted that prolonged screen exposure during learning could hinder the development of children’s social skills, reduce their ability to maintain attention, and negatively affect creative thinking.

The ministry further emphasised that in line with Government policy and the ministry’s child development framework, early childhood education should involve children actively engaging with their environment, rather than learning through digital screens.

It also warned that excessive exposure to technological devices at such a young age could have adverse effects on children’s mental and physical health, particularly on brain development.

Accordingly, the ministry said that it did not approve of conducting online classes for children in this age group.

Narayana also stated that the ministry’s position was based on existing early childhood education policies, rather than any new consultations.

“Our policies clearly state that learning for children of this age should take place in an appropriate environment under the guidance of qualified teachers, not through online platforms,” she said.

The ministry also cautioned parents against enrolling children in online seminars organised for commercial purposes, noting that such programmes did not improve children’s educational standards and may instead hinder their natural development.

It further stressed that a child’s best teacher was the surrounding environment and real-life experiences, rather than a digital screen.

Therefore, the ministry urged parents to pay close attention to their children’s mental and physical well-being, and to carefully consider the potential impacts of exposing young children to online learning platforms.