SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

School of Postgraduate Studies

Master of Public Management

Assignment

Name with Initials: G.K.M.T.S. Kaviraj

Registration No: 049 (2019/2021)

Subject Code:
Subject : Public Policy Management

Assignment 02
Group  Individual 

Name of the Lecturer: Dr. (Ms) Sepali Sudasinghe

Student’s Statement:
I certify that I have not plagiarized the work of others or participated in
unauthorized collusion when preparing this assignment.

12/10/2021
Signature: ……………………... Date: ………………………

Office use only:

Deadline Met  Extension Given  Late Submission 

Signature: ……………………………

Marks Given:
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CHAPTER TWO
Policy Alternatives
2.1 Existing Policies
There are a large number of government agencies and NGOs working for children
in Sri Lanka. Among them are the Ministry of Child and Women's Affairs and Child
Protection Authority, the Department of Probation and Child Care and many other
institutions. In addition, all institutions, including the police and child courts, are
representative of children.
This organization has prepared and submitted policy statements. It has been 20 years since
the establishment of the Child Protection Authority but so far it has failed to formulate
national policies on child protection.
The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs has released the "Alternative National
Policy for the Protection of Children in Sri Lanka". However, child abuse in Sri Lanka has
not decreased so far.

2.2 Alternative 1 : - Establishment of Centers at District Level to Provide

Vocational Education for Orphaned Street Children Outside their families

1.Name of the Establishment of Centers at District Level to Provide Vocational

alternative Education for Orphaned Street Children Outside the Family
Corporation
2. Clear This is evolving into a social problem not only in Sri Lanka but also in
description of the world due to the negligence of responsible institutions regarding
the alternative street children. Therefore, long-term rehabilitation for such children is
essential. A proper program should be implemented to rehabilitate and
reintegrate street children. Once those children are socialized, they
must have a source of income to sustain their lives. Or they may be
tempted to engage in anti-social activities and try to make money. The
Vocational Education Center should be set up so that these children
can be directed to vocational education according to their abilities.
The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, which is responsible
for this, should decide whether or not to set up a Vocational Training
Center for each district through a census of street children in each
district. If there are not enough numbers, one center can be set up for
two districts. When setting up centers, it is advisable to set up two
centers, male and female.
The first thing to do here is to gather information about street children
 2

at the district level. For this, information should be collected by the

"Child Rights Promotion Officers" and "Probation Officers" who deal
with children and that information should be forwarded to the Ministry
of State Ministry of Women and Child Development,Pre-Schools &
Primary Education,School Infrastructure & Education Services
.
After analyzing that information, children who are unable to attend
school should be referred to these residential vocational training
centers.
The assistance of the officers of the Police and the Children's Bureau
should be sought to direct the children to the relevant institutions.
Eventually the training institutes will issue an NVQ certificate.
After the age of 18, those children should be referred for employment
in the public sector or the private sector. These rehabilitated children
will be able to be assigned as multi-tasking assistants in programs such
as the Job Point implemented by the current government.

Retirees can also be recruited on a contract basis in cases where it is

difficult to recruit teachers under the new recruitment.

3. Description This alternative proposal will help achieve the objective of protecting
of how the abused street children mentioned in Chapter One.
alternative
meets the
goals/objectives
3. What will be The Ministry of Ministry of State Ministry of Women and Child
the task of the Development,Pre-Schools & Primary Education,School Infrastructure
government in & Education Services the main institution responsible for this
relation to this work.This Ministry is the main body regulating the alternative
alternative? resolution.
Which part of Department of Probation and Child Care, Child Protection Authority.
the Government Sri Lanka Police, Vocational Training Authority, Divisional
is responsible? Secretariats and Secretariats should support.
What needs to
be done by
 3

4. Sources of Although the Department of Probation and Child Care is implementing

the alternative. rehabilitation programs, no island-wide vocational training centers
Already existing targeting street children have been established.
good practices
for this
solution?
5. Strengths and . Strengths
weaknesses  Ability to obtain contributions from governmental and non-
governmental organizations.
 Having a number of programs introduced by vocational training
centers
 All over the island there are closed schools and unused
government buildings

weaknesses
 The difficulty of rescuing street children from the premises
 The difficulty of keeping them
 Teachers are limited
6. Expected  Ensuring the present and future well-being of street children
outputs, effects
(outcomes) and  Minimize the adverse effects of street children on society
benefits

7. Expected  Establishment of 30 training centers (female and male) 90 M

costs (in  Purchase of Goods & Equipment 30 M
Rupees)  Payment of allowances to those recruited on
contract basis (per year) 2.5 M
 Conducting awareness programs (25 districts) 0.5 M
TOTAL 123 M
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8. When can the Following next Two years

alternative be
started? What is
needed before
being able to
start?

2.3. Alternative 2: Establish a Safety Net to Protect the Child from Vulnerable in
the Family or Elsewhere.
1.Name of the Establish a safety net to protect the child from vulnerable in the family
alternative or elsewhere.

2. Clear A child can be at risk in the family, in the community, at school, in

description of another institution, in places like school buses. Therefore, the factors
the alternative that increase the risk of children should be identified first. Accordingly,
policies and programs that strengthen and support children in vulnerable
families and communities can reduce that risk.

The purpose of this alternative proposal is to identify vulnerable

children and places first and take steps to eliminate those risk factors.
Government officials working at the grassroots level, governmental and
non-governmental organizations working with children at the village
level and at the grassroots level should establish a safety net by linking
religious organizations and committees on children. The police should
also be involved in this. These village level officials and organizations
should be networked at the Divisional Secretariat level. Regional level,
district level and national level should be networked together.

Prior to the exposure of children, such factors and locations should be

identified by the officers and organizations operating at the grassroots
level in the homes or locations identified and identified at risk. Can
report immediately to local and district level. Necessary instructions
will be issued immediately after reporting to the national level. This
allows the child to be rescued from danger before it is exposed
 5

3. Description . This alternative resolution achieves the objectives of protecting

of how the vulnerable children and improving their well-being.
alternative
meets the
goals/objectives

3. What will be It has been revealed that many children have been deserted because of
the task of the family problems. When family problems lead to separate the family, the
government in most victimize group would be the children. Therefore, they need to be
relation to this protected.
alternative?
Which part of The government should be vigilant on this issue. When family problems
the Government arise, it needs to be solved with proper advice. This can be done through
is responsible? professionally developed officers at village level. There should be
What needs to “Family Counselors at the village level. They should visit families
be done by regularly and advise them to have happy family life. The functions of
these officers should be monitored by the respective Divisional
Secretaries.
These officers should try to keep family peace in all families. When the
family peace is going to break, they need to give their attention to the
well-being of the children of these families. Then, the affected children
can be guided well in advance.
These Family Counselors should submit a monthly report to the
respective Divisional Secretary and in turn all Divisional Secretaries
should send a report to the Ministry of Social Welfare to monitor the
situation and take corrective actions.
The government should develop an appropriate job description for these
Family Counselors and recruit them immediately. Once they recruited,
before placement they should be giving a through training on the
subject.
 6

4. Sources of Establishing a safety net so that the child is not violence or abused in
the alternative. the family or elsewhere has no previous experiences. This suggestion is
Already to be developed with the help of the police. The risk and vulnerable
existing good families are to be identified and those families will be linked to a central
practices for system where the police will be in a loop.
this solution?

5. Strengths and Strengths

weaknesses
 Participation of the police
 Developing network among key government institutions
 The government support
 Early identification can find effective solutions

Weaknesses

 Implementation problems
 The role ambiguity
 Use of technology problem

6. Expected  Being able to identify the risk first so that the child can be
outputs, effects protected before abuse occurs
(outcomes) and  Ability to respond quickly due to network connectivity
benefits

7. Expected  Training systems for all districts 0.5 M

costs (in  Purchase of equipment 4 M
Rupees)  Network arrangements 5 M
 Others 0.5 M
Total 10 M
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8. When can the Following next year

alternative be
started? What is
needed before
being able to
start?

2.4 Alternative 3 : - Foster Creativity among Children

1.Name of the Foster Creativity among children
alternative

2. Clear . Allowing creativity to be nurtured at every stage in a child’s life is

description of crucial to enable the child to grow in different dimensions. This gives
the alternative children the chance to process ideas, be creative, think flexibly, and use
their imagination effectively and in different ways. Children can absorb
the creative experience in different ways, ranging from emotional
involvement to problem solving as well as the acquisition of
knowledge.
In order for this creativity to flourish in schools, structures need to be
strengthened and professional development programs offered and
encouraged. It is recommended that teachers of all levels are provided
with resources designed specifically to create an environment that
encourages creativity. It is also recommended that cultural
organizations be further supported by the state to collaborate with
schools and invest more in children’s creative and cultural appreciation
and involvement. The state should also encourage child-related events
and functions to enhance exchange of ideas and cultivate a more
inclusive, culturally
3. Description Foster creativity among children will help the children to shape their
of how the future. The childhood is crucial in child development.
alternative important to foster creativity among children to innovative manner.
meets the This policy alternative will bring a new dimension to develop child
goals/objectives personality. This alternative proposal will accomplish the third and
fourth objective mentioned in the first assignment.
3. What will be Creativity solves many problems in easy way. Therefore, it needs to
the task of the develop a program to foster children creativity. This could be done
 8

government in through pre-schools and primary schools. The necessary curricular

relation to this should be developed with the assistance of experts on the subject.
alternative? The government can make use of Inventors Commission for this aspect.
Which part of The Commission can conduct creativity development programs using
the Government school children. This can be done through organizing competitions. The
is responsible? winners should be recognized at national level.
What needs to The government should allocate sufficient funds as well as necessary
be done by know how on creativity at village levels. The media also should support
this kind of exercises. Wide publicity is essential for this kind of
programs

4. Sources of There is no systematic program by the government to enhance the

the alternative. creativity of children.
Already
existing good
practices for
this solution?

5. Strengths and Strengths

weaknesses • New ideas will surface
• Child will have the opportunity to shape future
• Support child development
• Educate on creativity know how
• Developing a creativity culture
Weaknesses
• Poor institutional support
• Creativity is difficult to teach
• Impact is at a distance
• Necessary funds is not available

6. Expected The benefit would be the creative society where children get a good
outputs, effects recognition from the society. The creativity will also help the society to
(outcomes) and enhance innovativeness and creativity.
benefits
 9

7. Expected Awareness creation program 0.5 M

costs (in Rupees Completion and awarding 0.5 M
Promotion campaigns 0.5 M
Total 1.5 M

8. When can the Following next year

alternative be
started? What is
needed before
being able to
start?

2.5. Comparison of Alternatives

Criterion Description of the effect of the alternative on that

criterion

1. Efficiency: Considering the efficiency, the cost of these options

should be considered. The first alternative proposal
is to set up vocational training centers. THAT IS
higher cost. cost is 123 M. But do not have to bear
such costs annually. Second Alternative proposal
for setting up a security network costs 10 M.. The
proposed third alternative proposal to improve
children's creativity will cost 1.5 million..

Accordingly, the lowest cost third alternative

proposal can be mentioned as the highest alternative
in terms of performance.

2. Effectiveness: The objectives for resolving the issue will be

considered to what extent this alternative resolution
has been resolved. The first alternative proposal is to
ensure the well-being of children who are being
abused outside the family. It is also a solution to the

3. Distributional equity:
4. Political criteria and Legality:
10
negative impact of street children on society. This is
a proposal that will work in the long run. The result
is not immediate. The second alternative is to save a
child before it is vulnerable. The result is short-lived.
This results in a high level of effectiveness. 3
Alternative Suggestion A child becomes a creative
child. It will help in the development of the child's
personality and well-being. This is a long term
effectiveness.
Thus, it can be said that the 2 alternative proposals
are more effective.
With the first alternative proposal providing
vocational education to street children, there may be
a change in the way this is implemented in the
districts. The second alternative proposals will
depend on the commitment of the grassroots
officials involved in networking. 3 Alternative
Suggestions Developing creativity among children
can be equally active
Thus, the outcome of the 3 alternative proposal will
be the same for everyone.
The third alternative proposal is in favor of the
people and can be implemented without any
political influence. The first alternative is to provide
vocational education to street children and socialize
them as a long-term program. The proposal is
accepted by the society but is likely to be criticized
by politicians. A system of rules should also be
introduced to implement this resolution. The 2
alternative, the proposal to establish a safety net, is
a proposal that is universally accepted and has no
political influence.
Accordingly, the 2 alternative resolution is a
proposal that can be implemented without the
 11

political influence that the people prefer.

5. Social/Cultural acceptability The first alternative, socializing street children, will

be of great service to children as well as society
.The second alternative is to create a safety net to
rescue a child before he or she is at risk. It is
possible. This helps to create a good group of
children in the society. The third alternative is for a
child to be creative and to be a good child to
society. Then a good social culture emerges.

Thus the 02 option will have the potential to have a

greater socio-cultural impact

6. Sustainability The first alternative proposal is a long-term

program that will incur a large cost. Provisions
should be made in the budget each year for this
alternative proposal. The implementation of this
resolution will greatly contribute to sustainable
development. The second alternative is a low-cost
program that can be implemented in the short term.
By implementing this resolution, children can be
protected from danger. It is a program that
contributes to sustainable development. The third
alternative is that children's creativity will have
long-term effects. A program that contributes to
sustainable development.

Thus, the second alternative proposal is a more

sustainable program.

7. Operational practicality, The first alternative proposal here is to implement a

technical and administrative program to provide vocational training education
feasibility: for street children, and all institutions dealing with
 12

children should work together. In addition, the

Vocational Training Authority should be involved.
Taking children to these centers will require police
intervention and, in some cases, court decisions.
Only government agencies deal with this.
Government agencies as well as non-governmental
organizations, village level committees and
religious organizations are contributing to the
creation of the second alternative, the Defense
Network. Technical assistance is also essential. The
Ministry of Pre-Schools, Schools and Education is
involved in the implementation of the third
alternative. Institutions such as. There is no longer a
set of rules or institutions to intervene.

The first alternative proposal becomes a high-

quality practical program implemented with the
involvement of a large number of government
agencies.

2.6 Comparison of the Alternatives (Multigoal analysis)

In the comparison of each alternatives the a scale of high moderate and law being used to
ensure that each of the alternative is being compared and contrasted with each other on a
relative basis’

Criteria/Goal
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Efficiency: 3 2 1
Efficiency 2 1 3
Distributional equity 3 2 1
Political criteria and 3 1 2
Legality
 13

Social/Cultural 3 1 2
acceptability
Operational 1 2 3
practicality, technical
and administrative
feasibility
Sustainability 2 1 3
Total 17 10 15

(1- Great Extent, 2- Some Extent , 3- Slight Extent)

2.6 Proposed Solution
So after evaluating each alternative proposal according to the criteria mentioned, the best
alternative proposal made for this issue is to set up a security network. The recommended
policy option, as explained above, is to introduce a precautionary measure to protect
children. This method can be called "pre-risk preparedness". Children who are at risk
should be identified and rescued before they are at risk
2.6.1 Descriptions and Defense of the Preferred aAternative
The government will not have to bear the heavy cost of implementing this
recommendation. Also, this is a proposal that can be implemented quickly. This is
primarily done in collaboration with grassroots government officials and community
organizations, NGOs and religious organizations. So this is easier to implement. Risk
recognition and action before risk becomes a more sustainable program.
2.6.2 Responsible Government Organization
This program should be implemented by the Child Protection Authority established under
the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Its activities should be subject to the
supervision of the Presidential Secretariat. .The contribution of the Grama Niladhari,
Samurdhi Development Officers and Family Health Officers operating at the ground level
should be sought for the implementation of this program. Police assistance is also required
for this.
All officers dealing with children and district level officers dealing with children in the
Divisional Secretariat, including the Divisional Secretary, are required to be proactive in
this regard.
2.6.3 What is Going to Happen at the Grassroots Level?
This program is implemented at the grassroots level with the support of government
officials. NGOs, community organizations and religious organizations working with
children are contributing to this program. At the grassroots level, the key to implementing
 14

this is to identify children at risk and their whereabouts. This requires the direct active
involvement of government officials and NGOs and other stakeholders.
2.6.4 What will be Task of the Government?
The primary task of the Government in implementing this program is to establish a
framework for its implementation. As described above, the Child Protection Authority
under the Ministry of Child and Women's Affairs should implement the program.
Necessary technical assistance for this should be obtained from the Ministry of
Technology. These programs should have supervision and regulation and a formal
program. This should be monitored regularly.