Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-16
Subject: Enrolment in Anganwadis
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1670

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2022

## ENROLMENT IN ANGANWADIS

## 1670. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY :

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether at a time when enrolment rates for primary schools is reaching ninety per cent as a consequence of parents perception that education leads to better life,  the  enrolment/attendance  in  Anganwadis  remains  low  as  they  neither consider parents perception of education nor fulfil their demand; and
- (b) if  so,  whether the ECCE curricula for different States focus on local languagedriven and play-based pedagogy recommended by leading educators in India for this age group if so, the details and present status thereof along with corrective steps proposed in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  &  (b):    The  Early  Childhood  Care  &  Education  (ECCE)  is  one  of  the  six  free services provided through Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) located across the country. As on 30 th June, 2022, 3.03 crore children in the age group of 3-6 years have access to ECCE through Anganwadi Centres.

To  promote  play  based,  experimental  and  child  friendly  approach  to  development,  a National Curricular Framework for ECCE was developed by Government to support the holistic  development  of  children.   Under  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020,  for universal  access  to  ECCE,  there  is  provision  to  roll-out  ECCE  in  all  the  AWCs  with strengthening  of  Anganwadi  Centres,  high-quality  infrastructure,  play  equipment  and well trained Anganwadi Workers for an enriched learning environment.

Priorities  under  ECCE  includes  communication  strategy  to  orient  parents  on  good quality  ECCE  and  importance  of  positive  parenting.The  ECCE  policy  recommends strong advocacy initiatives through the use of media and inter-personal communication strategies including through  print and electronic media to parents. Anganwadi Workers reach  out  to  parents,  using  social  media  platforms,  undertake  home  visits  and  share resources  like  monthly  calendar  of  activities,  video  of  songs,  stories  and  rhymes  to parents  to  ensure  continuity  of  learning  through  play.  The  content  of  current  ECCE curriculum is in regional languages with play based pedagogy.

During  Poshan  Maah  2022, Poshan  Bhi,  Padhai  Bhi was  a  key  theme  which  raised parents  awareness  on  early  childhood  education. Poshan Bhi,  Padhai  Bhi ,  called  for focus on quality pre-school education for children under 6 years which raised parents awareness on early childhood education. Under this theme close to 81 lakh activities were  conducted  focusing  on  early  childhood  care  and  education.  Besides  general sensitization for early learning, use and development of indigenous and locally available toys for learning at AWCs was promoted nationwide.

An Expert Committee set up by the Ministry to recommend age appropriate  curriculum for  children  in  the  age  group of 3-6  years, has submitted its report.  The focus of the curriculum is on early stimulation (0-3 years) and early childhood care and education ECCE (3-6 years).

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