Overview - Subjects and Functions

Assisting in the formulation of policies in relation to the subject of Women and Child Development, Pre-schools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services for the creation of “Knowledgeable Society” under the direction and guidance of the Minister of Education in conformity with the prescribed Laws, Acts and Ordinances and implementing, projects under the National Budget, State Investment and National Development Programme, and implementing, monitoring and evaluating subjects and functions of the below-mentioned Departments, State Corporations and Statutory Organizations.

Special Priorities according to the Gazette

1. Implementing a program to ensure the security of women
2. Providing relief to rural women victimized by unregulated microfinance schemes
3. Implementing permanent mechanisms to provide protection and minimize adversities to persons subject to regular vulnerabilities, especially women and children
4. Establishing a methodology to provide women with necessary knowledge, skills and time to give birth to a healthy child, to look after their children with motherly care and to guide their children
5. Introducing special child nutrition programs to address malnutrition among all children
6. Taking necessary measures to ensure the rights of the children in accordance with the International Convention on Rights of the Child, with the integration of all the relevant institutions.
7. Establishing a section in each District Court dedicated to resolving backlog of all court cases pertaining to children
8. Establishing a national programme to introduce a “Foster Family System” for all children in child care centres.
9. Expanding the concept of “Child Friendly School”
10. Expansion of pre-school education based on National Preschool Policy under state supervision
11. Transforming rural schools into schools that are attractive to students
12. Implementing a special programme to develop class rooms and sanitary equipment, teachers’ and students’ restrooms, health facilities and infrastructure facilities in all schools
13. Taking measures to launch school textbooks, syllabi, teachers’ guides via digital mode
14. Establishing the Cluster Schools System

Supervision of the institutions listed in column II (Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National Committee on Women, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority, Children’s Secretariat and Sri Lanka Thriposha Co. Ltd.)

Vision

A sustainably developed prosperous country of the productive citizenry, contented families and social equality where the identity of Sri Lanka reigns

Mission

To formulate and execute programmes for providing and enhancing legal, institutional and human resource services and infrastructure for the economic, social and educational empowerment of women and children considering national priorities and requirements along with international standards