India: ‘Status and Vision for ECCE’ Dr Shreeranjan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India

India: The Context 158.8 million children in the 0-6 years age group (2011), 13.1 % of the total population 8,29,52,135 boys 7,58,37,152 girls 20 States and Union Territories have over 1 million children in the age group 0-6 years; large diversity Burdens of Malnutrition 22% babies born with low birth weight 42.5% underweight (0-5 years) 79% children anaemic (6-35 months)

India’s Commitment 86th Constitutional Amendment : Art.21 The State shall endeavor to provide ECCE for all Children until they complete the age of six years Several international conventions, summits and resolutions Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act ( Section 11) : With a view to prepare children above the age of three years for elementary education and to provide ECCE for all children until they complete the age of six years, the appropriate government may make necessary arrangement for providing free pre primary education for such children A holistic and Integrated approach ( I C D) based on the continuum of growth, development and early learning for the child under 6 years through convergence and synergies in order to provide health, nutrition, care and early education (in local language) opportunities for holistic development of young children

Child care Kindergartens Balwadis Public Private NGO C S R Preschools ECCE Provisions in India Public Private NGO C S R Unregulated, gaps in data base, ranging from minimalist to profit oriented academically accelerated approach, untrained teachers , questionable pedagogical inputs. About 50% children outside public system 71509 SSA Centres Child care Kindergartens 1.3 million Anganwadis, 80 million children, 35 million for ECCE Balwadis Preschools

ICDS: World’s Largest ICD Programme An integrated early child development programme aimed at addressing health, nutrition & development needs of young children, P&L women Package of six services Started in 1975 with 33 CD blocks, today world’s largest early childhood development programme Reaching out to about 10 crore beneficiaries: Children ( 6 months to 3 years) : 4.35 crore Children (3 to 6 years) : 3.47 crore P& L Women : 1.82 crore 1400000 2012-13 1303300 7076 Projects 2011 706800 6779 Projects 2005 290655 5422 Projects 101864 1995 ICDS Milestones – Number of Projects & AWCs sanctioned / approved 3066 Projects 1985 4891 896 Projects Achievement during Eleventh Five Year Plan 32.88% increase in beneficiaries for SN [from 705.43 lakhs at the end of X Plan to 960 lakh during XI Plan] 18.96% increase in beneficiaries for PSE [from 300.81 lakh at the end of X Plan to 347 lakh (including 180 lakh girl child) during XI Plan] 1975 33 Projects

Integrated Child Development Framework ICDS encompasses growth and development of the child through preschool non-formal education (ECE), linkages with primary schools nutrition supplementation immunization, health check up, growth monitoring, home visits and parent counseling health and nutrition education coordination and convergence with allied departments Bronfenbrenner, 1979

ECCE: Gaps and Challenges Low awareness and clarity regarding Early Childhood Care and Development in families and society Absence of policy, curriculum and action framework at all levels Issue of access, diversity, standards and quality Parental aspirations and commercialization Weak linkages with family and community Weak linkages of ECCD resource centres/ universities/ learning centres Inadequate human resource: professional courses, training and personnel preparation Inadequate attention and investment in child development Lower harmonization of efforts; absence of comprehensive strategy, absence of allocation of roles and responsibilities Absence of the system of regulation and comprehensive child development legislation

New Emerging Directions At the National Level Ministry of Women and Child Development, the nodal ministry for care of pre-school children including pre-primary education constituted a Core Committee for preparing the ECE Framework and policy At the State Level Innovative Initiatives: Some innovative initiatives have also been undertaken by nongovernmental organizations ; development partners etc. Initiatives to Strengthen Preschool Education in ICDS State ECCE Policy Chattisgarh Curriculum/ Activity Books Thematic Curriculum (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura), Calendar of Activities (Bihar), Activity Books (Orissa, Punjab, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Karnataka), rhyme and song books (Assam, Tripura) Celebration of ECCE Day Bachpan Divas (Bihar), ECCE Day (Karnataka), Bal Sabha (Madhya Pradesh), Kanya Kelavani (Gujarat) Child Friendly Anganwadis AWCs based on BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) Concept (Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka)

New Emerging Directions: National ECCE Policy Framework Enabling Environment National ECCE Policy Enabling Environment ECCE= ICD Quality Standards for ECCE National ECE Curriculum Framework

Towards a Child Centric Environment A Child Centered Holistic Approach A Comprehensive Policy & Curriculum An Integrated Multi –Sectoral Convergent Service Delivery Mechanism Supportive Supervision Effective & Continuous Training Advocacy for Community and Parent Awareness Creating Integrated systems of care and education practices with enabling, promotive and supportive policies, legislations and affirmative actions Feedback

The ECCE Policy in India The cardinal principles informing this policy are Universal access with equity Quality in ECCE Strengthening institutional capacity

Access with Equity Universalise the provision of ECCE for all children Decentralized and contextualised approach ICDS Anganwadi Centre (AWC) repositioned as a “vibrant child friendly ECD Centre” Conversion of AWCs into AWCs cum crèches with a planned early stimulation component Partnerships across public, private and voluntary sectors Convergence with related care schemes, SSA and other schemes Young children with different abilities would also be reached.

Quality in ECCE Quality Standards and Specifications: Essential and Desirables Interaction (teacher/child, child/child);health, nutrition, personal care and routine; protective care and safety; infrastructure/ physical environment; organisation and management; children experiences and learning opportunities; assessment and outcome measures National Curriculum Framework promoting play based, experiential and child friendly provision for early education and all round development Child friendly and developmentally appropriate play and learning materials A Regulatory Framework for ECCE to ensure basic quality inputs and outcomes, across all service providers

Curriculum Framework for ECE Objectives of Preschool Education Principles of Learning Curriculum Content Pedagogy: Methods Essential Play Material Assessment Role of Teacher/ ECCE Educator Role of Parent Supportive Essentials Language Development Motor Development Non Formal Preschool Education Physical Development Creative and Aesthetic Appreciation Cognitive Development Socio- Emotional Development Scientific Temperament

Strengthening ICDS Service Package Early Childhood Care Education & Development (ECCED) Monthly ECCE Day Contextualized curriculum , including early stimulation package for under 3s and school readiness interventions for children 5+ Joyful learning and activity based, experiential learning pedagogy Local and culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate play and learning material Child assessment Additional Anganwadi worker: Trained HR support Child Development, Care & Nutrition Counselling Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Promotion &Counselling Joint Mother and Child Protection Card Maternal Care Counselling Care, Nutrition, Health & Hygiene Education Community based Management of underweight children

Strengthening ICDS Service Package Health Services Immunization Regular Fixed Monthly VHNDs Immunization sessions ANC / PNC support Care & treatment of severely underweight through NRCs Referral services to pre-identified referral network Support for IMNCI / JSY & JSSK / RCH / NRHM Health Education Community Mobilization, Advocacy & IEC Interpersonal Communication Information dissemination & awareness generation Appropriate food demonstration Voluntary Action Groups Village contact drives

Thank You!!!