A certificate awarding ceremony was held on October 13 at the Suhurupaya Auditorium in Battaramulla under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, to mark the conclusion of the “Smart Productivity for Pre School” online training programme. Organised by the National Productivity Secretariat under its Community Productivity Promotion Programme, certificates were presented to 234 preschool teachers who successfully completed the course.

The initiative was designed to enhance productivity among early childhood educators, promote high quality teaching methodologies and build essential skills in classroom management, creativity, communication and instructional delivery.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister highlighted that building a new country requires more than merely changing a government or system of governance. True national transformation depends on nurturing citizens equipped with progressive mindsets, positive attitudes and strong human values, with preschool education providing the fundamental base for this change. Describing the age range of three to five as a crucial stage in child development, he stressed that preschool teaching must be viewed as an invaluable national responsibility shaping the future generation rather than a profession limited to earning a salary.

The event emphasised that preschools must move away from simple rote memorisation of numbers and letters, evolving into environments where children learn naturally through engaging activities, cultivate creative thinking and gain practical life understanding through meaningful experiences. Noting that teachers’ productivity principles and positive habits naturally reflect on their students, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed the commitment to elevating the entire preschool sector across both public and private institutions to higher standards. 

This approach directly supports the national education reforms scheduled to roll out in 2027, which aim to develop well rounded citizens grounded in knowledge, practical skills, positive mindsets and human values. (Eduwire)