The Goal of the programme is to improve the quality of early childhood education and primary education in Sri Lanka by providing training for those who are interested in becoming teachers/care givers.

This programme will enable participants to perform effectively as teachers/care givers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Primary Education (PE) by,enhancing knowledge and understanding related to child development.

• Becoming familiar with accepted theories and practices in ECE and PE.
• Developing positive attitudes in working with children.
• Developing skills needed, through practical work.
• Sensitization to current issues related to the specific needs of institutions and groups placed in special circumstances.
• Strengthening the knowledge and skills related to selected academic disciplines.
• Enhancing organizational and management capabilities.
• Strengthening capability in interacting with parents and communities.

Any one of the following qualifications is required to gain admission to this programme of study.

• Applcant should be 18 years or over on the closing date of applications.

• Successfully completed the Advanced Certificate in Pre-School Education Programme conducted by the Open University of Sri Lanka OR
  
  
• At least three passes at the GCE (A/L) examination AND 6 passes in GCE (O/L) examination with Language and Mathematics OR

•  Minimum of 3 credits in courses offered at any foundation levels 1 and 2 (offered by OUSL) OR
  
  
• Diploma in Teaching offered by the National Colleges of Education OR
  
  
• Teacher Training Certificate Awarded by the Teacher Training Colleges

Selection of applicants except those who have obtained at least a merit pass in the Advanced Certificate in Pre-School Education Programme conducted by the Open University of Sri Lanka will be done after a written selection test.

This programme of study is offered in the distance teaching-learning mode. Students are given learning material at the beginning of the study programme  each year or  in  installments for each academic year. They can study the material at home.

In addition to learning material, week end Day Schools will be held at the  Open University. Any study problems faced by students when going through  the learning material could be discussed for further clarification at these Day Schools. Day Schools are conducted by internal or external staff of the Open University. These Day schools are very useful for students who need support in understanding the learning material and also for coming in contact with fellow students. ESD 2232- Field Practicum in Early Childhood/Primary Education will be conducted in selected pre-schools and primary schools.

The curriculum is organized and structured semester wise within the two academic years as given below.

Diploma in Early Childhood & Primary Education- 2 Years

Year 1 (Level 3) Professional Courses (Compulsory Courses)

Year 2 (Level 4) Professional Courses (Compulsory Courses)

Pre-Requisites

I) For those who do not possess the Advanced Certificate in Preschool  Education (Open University) should offer
• ESC 2315 (Early Childhood Development) at Level 3
                              and

• ESC 2217 (Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Early Childhood Education) at Level 4 as continuing education courses.

II) Those who do not possess G.C.E. (A/L) passes in the relavent subjects ( Excluding Sinhala/Tamil) should complete the Foundation Courses of OUSL or G.C.E. (A/L) examination in the two courses they wish to select at Level 4 under Discipline based courses.

The evaluation consists of 2 components namely,
1. Continuous assessment
2. Final examination

Continuous assessment is conducted by means of assignments. The number of assignments to be submitted for the respective courses given in Programme Handbook which would be available at the registration day.Assignments are compulsory and a percentage of marks given for the assignments will be added on to the final examination marks for determination of the final award.

Practical teaching in an assigned Primary School & Pre-school is a compulsory part of the final examination. Further information on these components of the final evaluation is available in the Programme Handbook.

This programme will be conducted  in  Colombo & Kandy Regional Centres.

Overall Co-ordinator – Dr.T.S.V. De Zoysa,
Co-ordinator (Level 3)– Ms.Malini Munasingha,
Co-ordinator (Level 4)– Mr.P.Senevirathne,