(a) Whether the Government is considering any plan to provide preschool education to children in the rural and urban areas of the country ;
(b) If so, whether the Government is making any assessment of the total numbers of such children, State-wise;
(c) If so, whether this scheme will be launched during the next financial
year in all the rural and urban areas of the country ;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) The allocation of funds, State-wise ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)
(a),(c)&(d) Pre-School education is one of the six services included in the package
of services under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. As on
31.3.2006, there were approximately 2.71 Crore beneficiaries of Pre-School education
registered at Anganwadi Centres throughout the couniry.
(b) As per 2001 census the total number of children in the age group of 0-5 years,
is approximately 13.74 Crore. State-wise list of the children is annexed as Annexure.
(e) States/UTs are allocated fund for procurement of pre-school education kits
@Rs.5OO per Anganwadi Centre per annum.