In order to discuss the strategy of strengthening early childhood education in the national Capital, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia convened a meeting of all the stakeholders on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of Directorate of Education, Department of Woman and Child Development and officials of all three civic bodies North, East and South Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Also to ensure coordination among the multiple agencies, Sisodia also designated the nodal officers for Directorate of Education and Department of Woman and Child Development to follow up with the municipal corporations and prepare an action plan for implementation.
Stressing on the importance of this issue, Sisodia said, "Early childhood care and education provides the foundation of learning to a child. Therefore, having a good quality 'Early Childhood Care Centers' (ECCE Centres) in every neighbourhood is a must,". At present, the Directorate of Education enrolls about 28,000 children while the three
corporations enroll about 51,000 children in their respective pre-primary classes, at the same time nearly 1.7 lakh children in the age group of three to six are enrolled at Anganwadis also, , a statement issued by the Delhi Government said, adding that this leads to duplication and also dilution in the quality as none of these agencies focuses on ECCE as one of its top priority.
"Therefore, a coordinated strategy is required to provide ECCE in an environment of CARE to children up to 4 years in age. Hence, instead of expanding Nurseries in the Government or municipal schools, the priority of the government would be to strengthen Anganwadis," it said.
Last year Delhi Government launched about 100 Anganwadi hubs by clubbing three to four Anganwadis in close proximity and set up a model ECCE center.