Investing in the Roots of Learning

When S. Krishnakumaran, the Welfare Officer of Newburgh tea estate, located in Sri Lanka’s hill country district of Badulla speaks about his estate’s preschool renovation supported by UNICEF, he doesn’t describe it as just another community development project. Krishnakumaran, as the officer responsible for supporting workers’ families and their wellbeing, and helping the estate sustain a stable workforce, sees the renovation as an investment in the future of a sector that has powered Sri Lanka’s economy for generations.

“There is a distance of about 17 to 18 kilometers to the closest preschool from here and it's almost close to the Bandarawela town area,” he explained. “Renovating and uplifting our preschool is invaluable… The new facility has generated interest in the parents and the children, and the children are all very keen to come to school now.” 

His words capture a concern that is often unseen outside the estates. The strength of Sri Lanka’s tea industry is deeply linked to the wellbeing of the estate families. When the way is paved for young children to access quality learning experiences, dropouts and absenteeism decrease and parents can work consistently, leading to a resilient workforce. 

Benefits of investing in the early childhood education in Sri Lanka’s tea estate sector don’t only impact the children, they pour over to strengthen the entire tea industry value chain, making it a smart investment for private sector partners connected to the industry.  

A Sector That Shapes a Nation 

For decades, the tea estates have contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s export economy. The lush green slopes of Badulla and surrounding regions produce some of the most recognized Ceylon tea. Yet the very communities that sustain this industry often live with the least access to essential services. Preschool education, the foundation for every child’s learning journey, has historically been one of the deepest gaps impacting the quality of the education of children from the estate sector.

This is why the renovation of estate preschools through the support of the Japan Committee for UNICEF is so much more than infrastructure work. 

For the tea industry, strong early childhood education and development lay out the groundwork for a healthier and better supported workforce. When their children learn in safe environments, parents can work with fewer disruptions. It also helps nurture the next generation growing up in the estates; to ensure they have the skills and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the industry in the years ahead, making it a long-term investment that supports both the families and the industry they sustain.  

A renovated space and renewed hope 

Inside the Newburgh tea estate’s renovated Little Rose Preschool, teacher S. Gnaneswari has seen firsthand how quality early learning changes a child’s path.

“It is only recently that the preschool was renovated,” she said. “UNICEF has provided us with a great deal of support – thanks to their support, the roofs were repaired, the walls and the yard were plastered and painted, and overall, the space was made child-friendly with vibrant paintings on the walls, creating a welcoming atmosphere.” 

The improvements also go beyond appearance. With furniture, playground equipment, and the support provided by UNICEF to uplift the nutrition of the pre-school meals provided, Ms Gananeswari says she has seen measurable change.

“This resulted in noticeable improvements in the children’s health as well… Now I notice that children are more energetic and eagerly interact in class, coming forward to dance, sing, and tell stories.” 

In a community where parents often work long hours in the tea fields, a strong preschool acts as both a support system and a springboard, helping children begin school ready to learn and ready to succeed.

Dreams of a different future 

For parents like K. Sriradha, the transformation is emotional because it symbolizes dignity, something which she says she felt her generation lacked.

“Before this renovation, there were no basic amenities. There were no washrooms or water facilities,” she said adding, “The children were deprived of education as many did not wish to go daily to a space with no windows.” 

She says now, the difference is unmistakable.

“Today, these children have received this blessing that we did not have, and we are very grateful for it.” 

As a child she grew up without clean classrooms, proper learning spaces, or safe outdoor play. But she sees her grandchildren starting their education in a space that is colourful, safe, and joyful and she knows what that could mean for their future.

Supporting early childhood development in estate communities offers sustainable returns such as improving social mobility of historically underserved communities.

Across Newburgh Estate, the renovated preschool is more than a building. It is a symbol of possibility.

Children arrive smiling, teachers feel empowered, parents dream bigger and they now speak proudly of a future where their children arent afraid to dream or say, “I want to be a doctor... an engineer...a teacher...or a police officer.” 

These aspirations were rarely voiced before. Now they echo inside classrooms filled with colour and hope.

As Sri Lanka works to strengthen its economy and strengthen key export sectors such as tea, investments like this - small, targeted, and deeply human, can create ripple effects for decades. Supporting early childhood development in the estate is not a charity. It is nation-building and it is an investment in the future of every child.