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Countrywide survey of pre-schools

The Children's Secretariat functioning under the Social Welfare Ministry has commenced a countrywide survey of pre-schools (Early Childhood Development Centres) under the direction of Social Welfare Minister Ravindra Samaraweera, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Ms. Viji Jegarasasingam said.

She said that the main objective of this survey is gathering accurate information on all pre-schools existing in the country. At present various persons offer different statistics on existing pre-schools in the country but such information is not reliable.

According to the Director of the Children's Secretariat, Sunil Samaraweera, the Secretariat expects to receive information about 10,000 pre-schools. More than 6,000 pamphlets on the survey have been despatched to pre-school matrons and about 4,500 have been sent back duly completed.

An awareness workshop in respect of this survey for public officials and the representatives of NGOs was conducted recently on the sponsorship of UNICEF. Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Prof. Swarna Wijetunga and Dr.Vineethamala Wickremeratne of the Open University explained the objectives of the survey and future activities.

The Children Secretariat has also prepared a curriculum named "Guidance and Instructions to Early Childhood Development Centres (Pre-schools)" in conformity with the National educational reforms. Educational supportive instruments were developed under five sections for the proper use of this curriculum. These five areas are health, nutrition, home accidents and first aid, home-based early childhood development program for parents, play area, aesthetic components and child abuse.

A booklet has been published for the guidance of pre-school teachers in order to create awareness among parents on child abuse. A leaflet containing instructions about the encouragement that should be given to a pre-school child at home has also been prepared. Another booklet on how to prepare a nursery playground at low cost by using locally available resources has also been published under the same curriculum. (NG) 

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