Lok Sabha Question No. 919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: Anganwadi Centres under 'Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi'  Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 919

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2025

## ANGANWADI CENTRES UNDER 'POSHAN BHI PADHAI BHI' SCHEME

919.   SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

- (a) the details of the budget allocated and utilized and steps taken to inculcate healthy nutritional  habits  among  children  in  Anganwadi  centres  under  the  'Poshan  Bhi, Padhai Bhi' scheme;
- (b) whether any special training sessions have been organized for Anganwadi workers for this scheme in various States including Rajasthan, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any mechanism or body has been set up to monitor the process of overall development of children under the said scheme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

- (a) Under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) initiative, a total of Rs. 476.05 Crore has been sanctioned for Training of State Level Master Trainers (CDPOs, Supervisors and Additional  Resource  Persons)  and  Anganwadi  Workers  (AWWs)  under  Anganwadi Services Scheme  during FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-2026.

Under  PBPB,  the  Anganwadi  Workers  (AWWs)  are  imparted  training  on  addressing malnutrition:  Severely  Acute  Malnourished  (SAM),  Moderately  Acute  Malnourished (MAM) and micronutrient deficiencies among children. A facilitator guidebook has been developed by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) for training of Anganwadi Workers under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. Special emphasis on balanced diet and inculcating healthy practices among children with increased intake of fruits & vegetables is given during the training. The training also includes sanitation and hygiene practices imparted to the children at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). Importance of including  parents  and  community  in  development  of  children  for  inculcation  of  good nutritional practices is also a part of the programme.

- (b) Under  Poshan  Bhi  Padhai  Bhi,  Early  Childhood  Care  and  Education  (ECCE) Training to Anganwadi Workers is imparted through a Three-Day Programme Schedule (18 hours Duration). Special Training sessions include -'Navchetana-  National

Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to Three Years, 2024' and  'Aadharshila-  National  Curriculum  for  Early  Childhood  Care  and  Education  for Children from Three to Six Years 2024'. Main emphasis is   given on Play Based Activities for ECCE in each AWC and Weekly Play Based Calendar for ECCE. Poshan Component includes  Protocol  for  Management  of  Malnutrition  in  Children:  SAM,  MAM  and Micronutrient Deficiencies among Children; Nutrition, Personal Hygiene and Sanitation for Children (0-6 years) & Dietary Guidelines; Growth Monitoring and Poshan Tracker and Parental Engagement and Community Mobilization for ECCE and Poshan. Special efforts have been directed to include Divyang Children - Screening, Inclusion and Referrals.

As on 2nd February, 2025 a total of 31,114 State Level Master Trainers(SLMTs) and 145,481  Anganwadi  Workers  (AWWs)  have  been  trained  across  the  country  under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. In Rajasthan 1644 SLMTs and 18,690 AWWs have been trained under PBPB.

(c) To monitor the process of overall development of children under the said scheme, i.e.  PBPB,  Poshan  Tracker,  an  important  governance  tool  to  ensure  transparency  in nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education service delivery at Anganwadi Centres is used. It is available in 24 languages. For the first time in the Anganwadi eco system, baseline data on nutritional indicators is available on Poshan Tracker with monitoring of nutritional delivery (Take Home Ration/Hot Cooked Meal) and growth measurement on real time basis.

To  make  training  programme  more  sustainable  in  long  term  for  anganwadi  workers, provisions from Aadharshila including weekly activity schedules, home visit guidance, assessment  tools  for  tracking  child  development  etc.  are    included  on  the  Poshan Tracker.  These include daily on-the-job nudges, in the form of videos on how to conduct simple play-based learning activities with the children. 432 video slots in total with 230 unique videos have been uploaded on the Poshan Tracker Portal. 1008 activity details, 1008 daily PDFs and daily voice note slots have also been uploaded. Content is focused on 6 domains of development including foundational literacy, numeracy, and interactive activities.

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