New Initiative: Anganwadi Centers to Collaborate with Primary Schools

Anganwadi Centers to Function Alongside Primary Schools

Introduction: The central government is set to launch a new initiative where Anganwadi centers will operate in conjunction with primary schools nationwide. Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi announced guidelines to facilitate this integration. The aim is to provide comprehensive care for every pregnant woman, newborn, and preschool child in the near future.

Understanding the Government's Plan:
What does this initiative entail? How will it benefit parents and children? Let's explore.

Aligning with the New Education Policy 2020:
The government is implementing this initiative as part of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which introduces a 5+3+3+4 educational framework. This framework includes provisions for the first three years of preschool education under Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). NEP 2020 emphasizes ensuring universal access to high-quality ECCE across the nation. In this context, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development have issued guidelines for establishing Anganwadi centers alongside schools.

Preparing Children for School:
The introduction of Anganwadi centers in primary schools will significantly benefit both children and their parents. These centers will help prepare children for their transition to class 1. The Union Education Ministry has indicated that this approach will optimize resource utilization from the outset.

Implementation Strategy:
The Union Education Ministry has outlined specific criteria for launching Anganwadi centers in tandem with primary schools. This includes mapping Anganwadi centers to nearby primary schools. Furthermore, the Ministry has stated that these guidelines represent a significant step towards integrating the 'Nipun Bharat Mission' with the 'Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi' initiative.