Sri Lankan Cabinet Approves Stricter Child Labour Enforcement, Bans Under-16 Street Work

Quick Step Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth has been removed from the Ministry of Education's list of underperforming schools due to strong parental involvement, partnerships with NGOs, and support from the Ministry, including workshops and textbook provision. The school engaged in data-driven evaluations and collaborative teaching practices to improve student performance in mathematics and language arts. Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers approved stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting hazardous child labor such as street begging and domestic servitude, aiming to protect children under 18 and especially banning those under 16 from street work. This new enforcement, starting July 1, reflects a national commitment to safeguarding children's well-being and ensuring healthier societal contributions from future generations. Both these efforts highlight coordinated interventions in education and child protection as pivotal to national progress. Public awareness and media support are stressed as essential for the success of these initiatives.