Baddhegama, Southern Province, Sri Lanka – 10 August 2025
The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC Corporation), in strategic partnership with the Sri Hela Cultural Cooperation Foundation (SHCCF), has successfully conducted a comprehensive training programme for pre-school teachers across the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The initiative forms part of a broader island-wide campaign titled “Quality Education and the Child”, dedicated to advancing early childhood education and promoting the fundamental right to education as enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The training was held at the Baddhegama Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium, organised upon the official invitation of the Southern Provincial Ministry of Education. The programme brought together pre-school educators from municipal and local council institutions operating within the Baddhegama Divisional Secretariat.
Promoting the Child’s Right to Education and Well-Being
The workshop emphasised that access to quality early childhood education is a core human right, essential to the holistic development of every child. Trainers highlighted several priority areas aligned with IHRC’s global educational mandate:
- Recognising individual child capacities and developmental needs, ensuring that no child is left behind regardless of socio-economic background or learning differences.
- Implementing child-centred, inclusive pedagogical methods, consistent with international standards for early childhood development (ECD).
- Fostering safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
- Strengthening the professional capacity of pre-school educators, empowering them to serve as frontline actors in protecting and promoting human rights through education.
This initiative directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education, with a particular focus on equitable access to early learning and teacher training.
Leadership, Coordination and Key Participants
The programme was coordinated by Mrs. Madhavi Bandara, IHRC Regional Coordinator and Consultant at the Sri Hela Higher Education Academy, demonstrating IHRC’s operational commitment to education at the grassroots level.
A keynote address on behalf of both IHRC and SHCCF was delivered by
Mrs. Chandani Subasinghe, National Coordinator of the Early Childhood Development Project, who stressed the importance of aligning local pre-school systems with global human rights and educational standards.
The event gathered an eminent group of stakeholders, educators and institutional representatives, including:
- Mrs. Madhavi Bandara, IHRC Regional Coordinator & Consultant, Sri Hela Higher Education Academy
- Mrs. Chandrani Gunasinghe
- Mr. Vihanga Dayawansa
- Mrs. Nilanthi Hettiarachchi
- Representatives of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, including
- Dr. Ravi Naggarajah
- Mrs. Wanchali Rathnayake
Their presence highlighted a unified commitment to strengthening early childhood education across Sri Lanka through cooperation among civil society, educational institutions and human rights bodies.
Advancing IHRC’s Educational Mission in Sri Lanka
Through this programme, IHRC Corporation underscores its long-standing global mission to:
- Promote universal access to education, without discrimination;
- Support governments and local partners in strengthening educational systems;
- Empower teachers as essential contributors to human rights protection;
- Build sustainable frameworks for child development and wellbeing.
The event in Baddhegama is one of several nationwide activities planned under the IHRC–SHCCF partnership, aiming to elevate teaching standards and ensure that every child in Sri Lanka benefits from an inclusive, rights-based educational environment.
Reported by:
Dr. Chrishantha Dissanayake
Commissioner – Sri Lanka, International Human Rights Commission
Investigative Journalist – IHRC Alliance
A wonderful programme and an important contribution to early childhood education in Sri Lanka. The commitment shown by IHRC and the Sri Hela Cultural Cooperation Foundation is truly commendable. Efforts like this make a real difference for children, educators, and communities.