The government is moving to standardise preschool education across the country, addressing long-standing gaps in regulation, teacher recruitment, and institutional oversight.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said steps are underway to implement a single preschool education system across all nine provinces by 2027.
She made the announcement while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Early Childhood Education Development Programme.
Why the Reform Matters
Early childhood education plays a critical role in preparing children for formal schooling. However, the sector currently operates under different systems across provinces, creating inconsistencies in standards, teaching practices, and administration.
According to Minister Paulraj, the absence of a unified framework has made it difficult to ensure equal access and quality across the preschool education sector.
The proposed reforms aim to create a more structured system that aligns early childhood education with the broader national education framework.
Closer Integration with the Education System
Minister Paulraj said preschool education should function in line with the country’s overall education system.
She noted that the Ministry of Education should play a greater role in the development, supervision, and future direction of early childhood education.
A more coordinated approach could help improve standards, teacher development, and learning outcomes while creating a clearer pathway from preschool to primary education.
Challenges Facing the Preschool Sector
The Minister highlighted several issues currently affecting the sector.
She pointed out that preschool education has not yet been formally established as a state-run service and remains largely unregulated.
In addition, there is no structured recruitment process for preschool teachers.
The sector also lacks a dedicated authority or ministry responsible for monitoring and regulating preschool institutions.
These gaps, according to the Minister, have created challenges in maintaining consistent standards and accountability.
Last modified: June 23, 2026
