Building Strong Foundations -

Preschool teacher Chandralatha (63) stands as a beacon of hope and perseverance in the rural village of Katugahagalge, Monaragala, in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province. She endeavours to transform the Pipena Kekulu Preschool from a makeshift setup into a permanent, well-equipped learning centre for kids aged 3-5 in the village. Her dedication has earned the support of the village community, local authorities, and UNICEF.

“I started the preschool nearly 30 years ago in a borrowed space provided by a local welfare society. There were 20 children in my little school. The conditions of the space were far from ideal, but it provided the basic environment for the village youngsters to take early steps towards learning and socialising,” Chandralatha explains. 

"There were no chairs to sit on, no playground, and no toys to play with. We faced numerous challenges as the building was dilapidated and lacked basic facilities such as toilets and running water. However, I gained the support of the villagers, who understood the importance of early learning activities and basic skills development provided by the preschool to prepare their children for school and everyday life.”

Despite not having a permanent building or the necessary facilities, Chandralatha's little preschool became a beloved fixture in the village over the years. 

"None of the villagers had the wherewithal to support the construction of a new school. But they worked tirelessly to support its function. They provided me with all the support I needed to work with several welfare societies in the village, ensuring there was always a place for the school to function - at least a small room. There were times when I had to pay these societies a small amount as rent. Having faced all these difficulties, we were determined to find a permanent solution.” 

In 2023, Chandralatha’s hard work paid off as the Pipena Kekulu Preschool became part of a UNICEF-led initiative to uplift early childhood education in Sri Lanka’s Central and Uva Provinces. The programme focuses on providing safe, equitable, and quality preschool education. It is funded by the Japanese National Committee for UNICEF and is carried out in collaboration with the Provincial Councils' Early Childhood Development (ECD) Units.

“The dream of a proper preschool building for the village became a reality in November 2024. Pipena Kekula Preschool received a permanent building with a playground and proper classrooms, complete with desks and chairs. The ECD authorities, teachers, parents, and the community all came together in this effort. When the children saw the renovated preschool, their joy was boundless. Even the children who were unwell were eager to come to school.”

“With renewed hope, the villagers enthusiastically celebrated the school's opening; knowing their collective efforts had created a learning haven for their children, their pride was evident.”

“Properly equipped classrooms mean so much for these young children's education, safety, and holistic development. Early learning activities are essential for brain and social skill development and as preparation for school. Establishing foundational knowledge is very important, especially for the children in rural villages such as Katugahagalge, to overcome their disadvantages and reduce inequalities when they enter school,” Chandralatha affirms.

Ms Deepika (37) has been a parent of the Pipena Kekulu Preschool for many years, and her second daughter, Nethuni (5), is among the 36 children who benefitted from the new facilities. “Nethuni is an enthusiastic student. For her, the new school with the colourful equipment and the playground is like a dream come true.”

“My first daughter was also taught by teacher Chandralatha. Back then, the preschool moved around a lot due to insufficient space. However, the teacher continued despite the many difficulties. She faced many challenges but still accommodated all the children in the village.

“The renovated preschool building has all the facilities for our children. In fact, I have never seen facilities like these before. Chandralatha and everyone in the village worked hard to provide this new preschool for our children.”