COLOMBO : Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone in its literacy education journey on Saturday, 18 July as educators from across the country gathered at Water’s Edge, Battaramulla, for the nation’s first large-scale Jolly Phonics workshop, a full-day training event dedicated to strengthening early literacy instruction in classrooms nationwide.
The scale of participation underscored the depth of commitment within Sri Lanka’s teaching community, reflecting a shared determination to improve literacy outcomes for children across the country.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Zeenath Raees, Jolly Learning Trainer and the event’s organizer, said the workshop represented a defining moment for literacy education in Sri Lanka. “Today was especially significant as it marked the first large-scale Jolly Phonics workshop ever held in Sri Lanka,” Zeenath said. “Seeing so many educators united with a shared vision of strengthening literacy education was a truly memorable experience. Their dedication reminds us of the impact passionate teachers can have on the lives of children.”
Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in the Jolly Phonics and Jolly Literacy training programs, which combined interactive discussions with hands-on practical activities. Educators were introduced to the full suite of instructional resources designed to support classroom implementation, with an emphasis on collaborative, experience-based learning.
The programme was led by Yvonne Dalorto, Training Community & Content Manager at Jolly Learning, and Sara Wernham, Jolly Learning Author, both of whom shared professional insights drawn from years of experience developing and delivering literacy training worldwide. Additional practical perspectives were offered throughout the day by Meliha Chausheva, Jolly Learning Trainer from Bulgaria and Zeenath Raees, Jolly Learning Trainer, rounding out a program focused on equipping teachers with actionable classroom strategies.
The workshop’s success was also a testament to strong regional leadership, with Subrahmanian Seshadri, Regional Lead for the Indian Subcontinent & South East Asia at Jolly Learning, providing strategic direction that helped bring the initiative to Sri Lanka. On the ground, the event’s overall organization was driven by Zeenath Raees, whose efforts ensured the workshop ran smoothly. Together, their work reflects Jolly Learning’s growing commitment to expanding literacy support across the region.
The workshop reflects a broader commitment among educators and organizers to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader and writer. As literacy initiatives continue to expand across Sri Lanka, events such as this aim to build a sustainable overview of trained, confident teachers equipped to make a lasting difference in classrooms nationwide.
