a) whether any initiative has been taken by the Government to regulate the operation of
play schools in various parts of the country, especially in view of the increasing
incidents of atrocities against young children;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the extent to which these steps are helpful; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a): Under the newly launched Scheme of School Education namely Samagra
Shiksha, preschool programme is of up to 2 years duration that is for children of the age
group 4-6 years, The scheme lays down guidelines for safe and secure infrastructure
including sanitation facilities; developmentally appropriate curriculum, learning
activities, pedagogical practices and assessmen
t; professional development of teachers
and community participation and engagement.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued
comprehensive guidelines in connection with the safety of school children. To
regulate the operation of play schools, NCPCR has issued the regulatory guidelines
for private play schools which is based on various aspects as recognition for
establishing or regulating private play schools.
(b) : The Guidelines issued by NCPCR for the operation of play schools has
various norms to ensure safe and child friendly infrastructure to play school children
which includes staff, buildings, minimum no. of instructional hours per day, teaching
learning materials, games and sports equipments, etc.
(c): The steps to implement the norms as per the guidelines issued by NCPCR are
extremely helpful to the young children. It is beneficial to protect the children from any
atrocities and provide them health care facilities, sanitation, safety, security and child
friendly infrastructure which are imperative to improve the quality in play schools.
(d) : Question does not arise.
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