{"id":2489,"date":"2021-04-15T14:26:06","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T08:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/squarepanda.in\/pandablog\/?p=2489"},"modified":"2021-04-15T17:14:00","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T11:44:00","slug":"transforming-anganwadis-into-early-learning-centres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.squarepanda.in\/pandablog\/transforming-anganwadis-into-early-learning-centres\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming Anganwadis Into Early Learning Centres"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, <\/em>https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=66481004<\/em><\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The largest child care program in the world, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), is a powerful testament to our nation’s commitment to children and their development. Spanning each region in India, Anganwadi centres aim to reach children across rural areas and marginalised and disadvantaged sections of society. There are 1.36 million<\/strong><\/a> functional Anganwadi centres and over 25 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While initially conceptualised to address malnutrition problems and provide nutrition to young children and mothers, the Anganwadis have now evolved to include intersectoral collaboration between health and education. At present, these centres focus on food, nutrition, and early childhood education equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why The Focus On Early Childhood Education?<\/strong>

A young child’s brain sees the highest period of brain development in the early years; if this development is not nurtured in a supportive environment, their growth can falter, causing irreparable damage and lifelong repercussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While recognising the important role of nutrition and food in the growth and development of children, our policymakers kept in mind the nature of ECCE, which involves a holistic intervention that covers health, nutrition, and foundational learning (including psycho-social and emotional needs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the primary care providers for a majority of the population \u2014 out of the 240 million children in India aged between 0-8 years, 74%, i.e., 178 million live in rural areas \u2014 Anganwadi workers truly are at the frontlines of early development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These warriors have already proven their mettle while impacting nutrition across India. The United Nations International Children\u2019s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) calls them instrumental to child development for the role they play in fighting malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognises the immense reach and potential of these centres. The guidelines now require Anganwadi workers to impart pre-primary education to their charges, thus turning them into early years’ educators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a visionary thought, certain challenges impede a swift transition for the workers: adequate knowledge of ECCE, qualification and training dedicated to early childhood education, structured curriculum and resources, and an understanding of 21st<\/sup> century skills and methodology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journey From Anganwadi Workers To Anganwadi Educators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As leaders in the early education space, we at Square Panda India believe we need a three-pronged approach to empower Anganwadis as the NEP 2020 envisions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n