Early Childhood Educators' Capacity Building through International Experts

Advancing preschool education through global collaboration and inclusive practices

Overview

This initiative enhances early childhood education in Sri Lanka and beyond by facilitating knowledge exchange with international experts and institutions. Through cross-border partnerships and cultural collaboration, the project supports educators, decision-makers, and community actors in delivering developmentally appropriate and inclusive early learning.

Objectives & Approach

The program seeks to elevate the quality of preschool education and system responsiveness through the following goals:
- Strengthen educators' understanding of child development and their roles as facilitators
- Equip teachers with strategies for age-appropriate school readiness
- Identify and support invisible disabilities and developmental concerns
- Promote basic life skills such as hygiene, safety, and communication
- Foster inclusive learning by identifying each child’s unique strengths
- Engage decision-makers in investing in early childhood governance
- Deploy trained Field Officers via Towards Responsive, a Sri Lankan nonprofit, to:

• Bridge families, preschools, and support networks
• Monitor classroom outcomes
• Advise parents on development
• Coordinate with health and protection services

Challenges & Solutions

Rural and underserved preschools often lack structured training and support. Through localized intervention and international mentoring, the project bridges capacity gaps with culturally relevant strategies and sustainable fieldwork.

Impact

The program is building school and system readiness by:

• Training educators in over 25 districts

• Supporting inclusive teaching for over 2,000 children

• Creating cross-cultural learning opportunities between Sri Lanka and global institutions

What’s Next

Expanding to include multilingual training modules and AI-assisted developmental tracking to further personalize early learning journeys.

Charity Component

Your support funds educational resources, teacher training, and inclusive preschool infrastructure in low-income communities across Sri Lanka.

Project Team

• Dr. Lakshini Gunasiri (Director)

• Nadee Gunaratne (Director)

• Nisansala Jayasena