Early childhood care and education is vital for  India's  development and prosperity

India’s perceived rise in international stature and its potential evolution into a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) is largely attributed to its demographic advantages. With over 50% of its population below the age of 25, India benefits from a youthful and dynamic workforce. This article explores the crucial areas that must be addressed to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat, focusing on nurturing human capital through investments in health and education, particularly in early childhood care and education (ECCE). Given the concerning statistics that only 44% of grade 5 students can read at a grade 2 level, it is imperative to identify and strengthen pathways that will allow India to fully leverage its demographic dividend.

The National Education Policy (2020) rightly emphasizes the significance of early childhood, particularly the period before six years of age, as a critical phase in human development. Neuroscientific research indicates that this period is when the brain develops most rapidly, and its foundational architecture is formed. The brain's potential is significantly influenced by the nutritional, health, educational opportunities, and environmental experiences a child is exposed to in these formative years. Investing in high-quality ECCE not only enhances school learning outcomes but also positively impacts a child's overall personality development and social adjustment in the long term. Positive childhood experiences facilitated by quality ECCE programs lead to better social adjustment in work and family settings and increased economic prosperity in adulthood. Conversely, neuroscience suggests that adverse childhood experiences can lead to toxic stress, resulting in poor social and learning outcomes and higher rates of juvenile delinquency.

The benefits of ECCE extend beyond individual development to society at large. Quality early childhood care and education can help bridge and even close the social equity gap in children's learning, particularly in underprivileged contexts. Educating and skilling children from a young age can lead to higher economic growth and improved living standards across socio-economic strata. A World Bank study in India highlighted a return of INR 25 for every rupee invested in ECCE, with similar trends observed in global studies.

A report by Save the Children indicates that an ideal expenditure of 1.5 to 2.2% of GDP on ECCE is necessary, yet current spending is a mere 0.1%. This significant shortfall hinders the goal of spending INR 32,500 per child annually to achieve universal ECCE by 2030.

Making ECCE Accessible and Available to All Children

To bridge the significant gaps in ECCE implementation, several steps must be taken by the government:

1. Legal Inclusion: ECCE should be made an enforceable right by incorporating it into the RTE Act, 2009. This would ensure greater accessibility for marginalized socio-economic groups and hold state governments and institutions accountable for non-compliance.

2.  Increased Public Spending: Current investment levels are insufficient to achieve universal early care for children by 2030. Public expenditure on ECCE needs substantial increases to meet these targets.

3. Enhanced Social Infrastructure: The lack of adequate social infrastructure contributes to the exclusion of young children from accessing ECCE and continuing their education. Investments in this area are crucial for providing universal access to quality early childhood education.

Universalizing high-quality ECCE is akin to laying a solid foundation for India's future. It is time for political parties to commit to rectifying the exclusion of ECCE and support its inclusion as a fundamental right for every Indian child. After all, how can we build our dream of a Viksit Bharat without establishing a strong foundation?

(The writer is Professor Emerita Ambedkar University; views are personal)