(a) Whether the Union government has held discussions with the various State Governments
on the draft National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy.
(b) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) The number of children likely to be benefited from the said policy;
(d) The role likely to be played by the State Governments in its implementation; and
(e) The time by which the said policy is likely to be implemented in the country?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) & (b) Yes Madam. The Core Committee constituted for preparing the draft National Early Childhood Care and Education
(ECCE) Policy had representatives from State Governments among others who participated in the process of policy formulation
and its crystallization. The Committee also held four regional consultations in which representatives of State Women and
Child Development Departments, Education Departments, Health Departments also participated. The draft National ECCE Policy
was circulated amongst the concerned Ministries, State Governments/UT Administrations and other stakeholders on 13-03-2012
for feedback and it was also uploaded on the Ministry’s website. A National Consultation for finalization of the draft
National ECCE Policy was held on 29-10-2012 in which Women and Child Development and Education Secretaries from various
States were participated/ invited.
(c) As per Census 2011, India is home to 158.7 million children under six years of age who will be impacted by the National
ECCE Policy.
(d) & (e) The Policy has been notified in the Gazette on 12-10-2013 and becomes effective. As per Policy, various elements
have timelines as well as States/UTs will be responsible for rolling out of State/UT ECCE Policies and Action plans in three
years.