Latest news with #IntegratedChildDevelopmentServices
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Off the cuff: Justice hits snooze as officers take their afternoon naps in Tiruchy police station
Justice hits snooze In Tiruchy, visiting a police station within both city and rural limits between 2 pm and 5 pm can be a pointless exercise. That's when many officers, including head constables, writers and even those at the commissioner's and SP's offices, reportedly take their afternoon nap. Calls go unanswered, doors remain shut, and petitioners are left waiting outside with no clue when help will arrive. This unofficial siesta hour is so well-known that complainants whisper about it before approaching the police. If law enforcers are asleep, who's watching the streets? - P Thiruselvam Stirred, not shaken The buzz around a recruitment drive for cooks and assistants under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Dindigul saw candidates lining up for political referrals like they were queuing for free meals. A group approached Vedasandur MLA S Gandhirajan only to be told, bluntly, that no recommendations would be made. So persistent were the aspirants that his office had to put up a signboard: No recommendations for cook posts. For many, it was the first time a politician had declined to interfere. Clearly, the MLA was stirred, but not shaken and held his ground even as things simmered outside. - Saravanan MP Scoop turns sour Reporting on wheelchair woes at a Tirunelveli hospital landed a journalist in the administrator's hot seat – literally. After his story on lax contract workers aired, he was summoned and shown CCTV footage of his own reporting, followed by a fresh recording of the same attendant, an elderly woman, denying all complaints. The admin claimed the journalist had recorded the video without consent and warned him not to meddle again. Since then, journos avoid the hospital like the plague – masks on, mics off. - Thinakaran Rajamani (Compiled by Adarsh TR)
Hans India
05-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Telangana: Minister Seethakka unveils new initiatives for Women and Child Welfare
Dhanasari Anasuya Seethakka, the Women and Child Welfare Minister, announced at the conclusion of a two-day brainstorming conference that numerous innovative ideas have emerged to enhance the welfare of women and children. The minister described the event as a success and confirmed plans to organise similar conferences every three months to achieve significant goals by engaging local districts. Minister Seethakka highlighted the valuable suggestions made by voluntary organisations and intellectuals dedicated to women and child welfare. He announced the establishment of an advisory committee comprising experts to further bolster services provided by the department. In a bid to enhance the safety of girls, the minister introduced the formation of "friendship committees," which will function as self-protection teams. Anganwadi teachers will educate girls on concepts of good touch and bad touch, and the government will also connect Anganwadi centres with voluntary organisations focused on the safety of women and girls. Addressing the alarming issue of abandoned newborns, the minister expressed his concern over babies being discarded in hazardous locations. He proposed setting up cradles to provide a safe alternative for those who might otherwise be abandoned. Minister Seethakka lamented the lack of adoption of the rules regarding the Prevention of Child Marriage Act in Telangana, even after ten years of the state's formation, and assured that these rules would be implemented promptly. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriage in village assemblies and governmental programmes. Recalling the beginnings of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Telangana, the minister reiterated the need to modernise Anganwadi services, promising that this year, 1,000 Anganwadi centres would receive dedicated buildings. He urged district collectors to identify suitable locations for these centres. Highlighting the pivotal role of Anganwadi staff in shaping the future of the country, Minister Seethakka mandated regular meetings between Anganwadi staff and local villagers every Friday, echoing a previous initiative in Karimnagar, and emphasised the need to increase admissions and attendance at these centres. The minister also announced the formation of girl protection teams to ensure the safety and self-defence of girls, warning that any harassment would lead to severe consequences for offenders. He stressed the importance of educating boys on the repercussions of inappropriate behaviour towards girls, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance on harassment.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pul visits Tezu, pledges to preserve local history and tribal cultures
1 2 3 4 5 6 Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh women and child development minister Dasanglu Pul on Monday emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting local history and tribal cultures. The minister made the remark during a visit to the district museum, under-construction community convention centre and the child development project officer's residential quarters in Tezu in Lohit district. Visiting the museum, Pul said through such institutions, "cultural preservation must go hand-in-hand with community development". "Our museums are a reflection of our identity and heritage," she said while praising the district research officer and his team for their dedication. She assured the officials of her full support to ensure the "museum is strengthened and developed in a manner that preserves the legacy of our region". Earlier, district research officer J Rondo emphasised on the existing challenges and development needs of the museum. The minister later visited the under-construction residential quarter for the child development project officer (CDPO), which is being built to provide accommodation to officers working under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Expressing satisfaction with the progress of work, Pul said, "Ensuring adequate housing for field-level officers like the CDPO is crucial for the smooth delivery of child and maternal welfare services." She also visited the site of the upcoming Community Convention Centre, a flagship initiative of the Lohit district administration aimed at providing a dedicated public space for cultural, social and administrative gatherings. "I am particularly pleased with the innovative vision behind the Community Convention Centre. It is a thoughtful initiative that will provide immense benefit to the local population — serving as a hub for community engagement and empowerment," she said. Officials accompanying the minister said the project is designed to be multi-functional and inclusive, with facilities for seminars, workshops and cultural programmes. Lohit DC KN Damo, Lohit district BJP president Gamso Bellai, Anjaw district BJP president Bakhetso Tawsik and other senior officials accompanied the minister.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Anganwadi centres in J&K's Udhampur transforming into smart preschools under NEP
Udhampur: In a remarkable initiative under the New Education Policy (NEP) by the Centre, Anganwadi centres in Jammu & Kashmir's (J&K) Udhampur district are being transformed into full-fledged preschool centres. These revamped centres are now functioning as kindergartens, equipped with modern teaching tools such as smart classrooms, to ensure a strong educational foundation for children aged 3 to 6 years. The initiative aims to promote early childhood care and education, recognising the critical importance of mental development during these formative years. It is being actively implemented by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Department, which plays a crucial role in coordinating infrastructure upgrades, curriculum integration, and staff training. The integration of elementary education at the Anganwadi level ensures that children are school-ready and mentally prepared for formal education. The inclusion of smart class teaching facilities makes learning more dynamic and enjoyable, fostering curiosity and creativity among the children. Equally important is the government's emphasis on the nutritional aspects of early childhood development. The ICDS Department ensures the continued delivery of nutritious meals and health services to children as well as pregnant and lactating women. This holistic approach—blending education with nutrition and care—marks a significant step toward building a brighter future for the children of J&K. It also sets an example for other regions to replicate and scale up similar models of integrated early childhood development. Speaking to IANS, Udhampur's ICDS District Programme Officer, Subhash Chandra Dogra, said: "This Anganwadi centre is running very well. Children from three to six years of age come to this centre. In addition, pregnant and lactating mothers also visit. We provide them with supplementary nutrition. Along with that, children's education and health also continue as per our syllabus. Our trained Anganwadi workers have been instructed on how to teach children, conduct play-based activities, and, as per the new education policy, we are now moving towards smart classes. We try to teach children with the help of audio-visual aids so that they can align well with the school curriculum in the future." "We also take care of the overall growth of the child. When we provide supplementary nutrition to a child between six months and six years of age who comes to the Anganwadi centre, we measure their height and weight every month. By doing so, we track their growth - whether any child is stunted or underweight. If any child shows signs of growth delay, we ensure timely medical intervention through health check-ups and track their progress until they recover," he added. "Additionally, we provide Aadhaar enrolment services at Anganwadi Centres. We can make Aadhaar cards for children above six months of age and again after five years. For this, the birth certificate is essential. I would like to request all parents to immediately obtain the birth certificate after a child is born," he said.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
From Anganwadi to Balavatika: Inside UP's game-changing early education reform
Archana, a single mother from a village near Prayagraj, knows education is the key to a better future. But when her son started Grade 1 in a government school, he struggled — his teacher said he should have attended preschool first. Now, Archana worries for her three-year-old daughter at the local Anganwadi. Will it prepare her for school? With no government preschool nearby and private options costing over ₹10,000 a year — far beyond her ₹40,000 income — she faces an impossible choice between securing her child's future and meeting daily needs. For countless parents like Archana, this is the reality. And for their children, the crucial early years — when 90% of brain development takes place — pass by without structured learning. The fallout is stark. According to ASER 2019, 86% of four-year-olds couldn't complete a basic listening comprehension task, 77% struggled to count visible objects, and 69% failed to solve a simple four-piece puzzle. These skills are the building blocks of learning. Without them, children enter school unprepared — unable to 'learn to read,' and later, 'read to learn.' For decades, early childhood education remained informal and under-prioritised. In 1950-51, India had only 303 pre-primary schools with just three lakh students. Literacy among five-year-olds stood at a mere 34.4% by 1971. The launch of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1975 expanded Anganwadis — growing from 2.9 lakh in 2001 to over 13.9 lakh in 2021 — offering nutrition, health, and some early learning. But with workers stretched thin, preschool instruction averaged only 38 minutes a day, far short of the recommended two hours. As a result, enrolment in Anganwadi preschools declined from 3.39 crore in 2008 to just 2 crore in 2021. The core issue wasn't access, but quality. And quality early education is one of the most powerful equalisers in society. Global research shows that children who attend quality preschools are four times more likely to earn higher incomes and three times more likely to own a home. Yet, in India, pre-primary education — meant to be a universal right — had become a privilege. For millions, the lottery of birth still determined access to this vital foundation. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions learners who are both anchored in Indian values and equipped with the skills to navigate a rapidly evolving, digital world. Central to this transformation is the recognition that a strong foundation must be laid early. The policy underscores that quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) is not just a preparatory stage — it is the very cornerstone of lifelong learning and development. To ensure that every child enters Grade 1 school-ready, the NEP makes a clarion call for universal access to quality ECCE by 2030. It recommends integrating Anganwadi centres with primary schools and deploying trained early childhood educators — key steps toward creating a seamless continuum of learning from the early years onward. States like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have begun aligning with this vision, implementing structured early learning programs, training Anganwadi workers, and integrating pre-primary sections in government schools. But Uttar Pradesh has gone a step further — translating intent into action. A potential game-changer? Uttar Pradesh has launched two bold reforms. First, it converted all Anganwadis within school campuses into Balavatikas — structured pre-primary sections. Second, it sanctioned the deployment of 10,000 dedicated Early Childhood Education (ECE) educators to these Balavatikas. These trained professionals will focus exclusively on preparing children aged 5–6 for school, equipped with specialised training and teaching-learning resources. No longer will children stumble into Grade 1 without the foundational skills they need to succeed. This could be a game-changer. For millions of children, it means not just growth, but genuine learning. At the same time, it eases the burden on the State's two lakh Anganwadi workers — allowing them to focus fully on health, nutrition, and maternal care without being stretched across competing responsibilities. The ripple effects go beyond classrooms. These 10,000 teaching positions offer meaningful employment — primarily to women — generating both economic opportunity and community leadership. Moreover, by ensuring safe, high-quality early education, it empowers countless mothers to pursue jobs, continue their education, or build livelihoods, secure in the knowledge that their children are in capable hands. When a mother knows her child is learning in a nurturing environment, she doesn't just gain peace of mind — she gains the freedom to shape her own future, uplifting her family and contributing to a more prosperous society. The opportunity to send their children to free, high-quality early education, lifts a massive financial weight off parents. Nearly half of India's children under five are enrolled in private preschools, costing families an average of ₹12,834 per child annually, which is an average family's two-month worth of earnings — an impossible trade-off between their child's future and their daily survival. For women like Archana, these changes are more than just policy shifts; they are lifelines. Archana has often felt like she's failing her children. But now, with trained ECE educators in Balavatikas, she finally has an alternative she can trust. Her children, like so many others, will no longer be left behind simply because of where they were born (Rita Bahuguna Joshi is a former Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and former Minister of Women Welfare, Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh
