What a child learns in formative years helps in school and in the future too. Therefore, education should start when a child’s mind is still developing, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Monday.
He was addressing the launch of a new scheme ‘Balwadi Yojana’ with the theme “Jabo Balwadi badhabo Shiksha Ke Gadi” here. A total of 5,173 Balwadis were opened across the state, an official communication said.
Baghel said scientists had found that 85 percent development of the human brain takes place in childhood. So, education should start early.
The scheme has been launched to develop the ability of the children aged 5 to 6 years to learn and understand through activities including sports. The concept is to encourage learning and prepare the children for school.
Every Balwadi will have an assistant teacher of the concerned primary school besides an Anganbadi assistant. The assistant teacher will be paid an honorarium of Rs. 500 each month.
The Anganwadi assistants and teachers have been provided specialized training for teaching children through activities and sports. Each Balwadi has been allocated Rs 1 lakh for various needs including sports equipment.
School Education Minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam said the scheme is aimed at providing an educational bridge for the mental, social, psychological and cognitive development of children.
More Balwadis will be opened in a phased manner, he said.