Question : Improvement in Condition of Anganwadis

(a) whether it is true that enrolment in un-aided pre-nursery institutions are increasing gradually in the country and if so, the details thereof for the rural and urban areas during the last three years;

(b) whether the Government is also aware that enrolment in Anganwadis and Balwadis in the country is declining gradually in comparison to private un-aided pre-nursery institutions and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the measures taken by the Government to improve the conditions of Anganwadis and Balwadis to encourage parents to enroll their children them and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether it is true that the funds allocated to pre primary institutions are very inadequate to meet the needs of the institutions and if so, the corrective measures taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) : No such data of un-aided pre-nursery institutions is being maintained in this Ministry.

(b) : Anganwadi Services Scheme is a unique early childhood development program aimed at addressing health, nutrition and developmental needs of children under the age of six years. Pre-primary School Education through play-way method is one of the services provided under the scheme. These services are provided to any beneficiary who comes to the Anganwadi Centre (AWC). The Scheme is universal but self-selecting. As on 08.02.2018, 307.44 lakh beneficiaries have availed Pre-School Education (PSE) at the AWC.

(c) & (d): The Ministry has notified the National Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Policy on 27.09.2013. The Policy clearly lays down basic non-negotiable quality standards to be followed by all ECCE service providers. The standardized facilities envisaged in the Policy inter alia, relate to building and infrastructure; safety and security aspects; pupil-teacher interaction; caregiver; child ratio; learning experiences planned for children; health, nutrition and protection measures; qualification and professional development of staff; parent and community involvement and organisation and management of the ECCE provision. For ensuring optimal development of children, National ECCE Curriculum Framework and Quality Standards for ECCE has been notified and circulated to all States/UTs on 23rd January, 2014. Ministry of WCD has released the following documents on 01.09.2017:

i. Activity Books for 3-4 years old children
ii. Activity Books for 4-5 years old children
iii. Activity Books for 5-6 years old children
iv. Recommended list for Play and Learning Material (PSE Kit)
v. Child Assessment Card

The above documents have been circulated to all States/UTs for wide dissemination upto the pre-primary school level with minor modifications, if required. The funds allocated to the States for ECCE are sufficient. During 2017-18, the per AWC allocation for PSE has been increased from Rs.3,000/- to Rs.5,000/- p.a.

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