Social and emotional learning as a new subject for children

Leslee Udwin, a BAFTA and Peabody award-winning film producer and director, human rights campaigner and the Founder CEO of  THINK EQUAL, called on the Minister of Finance and Media Mangala Samaraweera at the Ministry of Finance on 18 July. 

THINK EQUAL is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to facilitate the inclusion of “the missing subject” of social and emotional learning as a compulsory component of education curricula around the world, and for such education to start from the very beginning of every child’s formal education.

THINK EQUAL also advises the UN OHCHR on delivering an international value-based, social and emotional learning program, securing the UN’s global citizenship and sustainable development education and directly addressing nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Udwin briefed Minister Samaraweera on the initiatives undertaken by THINK EQUAL in the country. Sri Lanka is piloting its initiatives in 30 schools across the country (in 12 districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Galle, Kurunegala, Hambantota, Ampara, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla). These pilot projects are being evaluated by Yale University for their impact. 

Udwin further stated that through this program of experiential social and emotional learning, and the inculcation of human rights-based values, we can uplift our country and ensure that at least with our children, we can bring a new generation of real and positive change for the future.