More than 60,000 anganwadis in Rajasthan are not only getting a makeover with upgraded facilities but are also being transformed from healthcare centres to pre-school learning centres.
The state government has taken the task of transforming the 60,604 anganwadis and with the help of community participation as well as aid from private individuals, philanthropists and trusts.
Dr Samit Sharma, director of Integrated Child Development Scheme, said most private participation comes in the form of help to improve infrastructure. “People and organisations have given books, school uniforms, school bags, stationery, water bottles, clocks, weighing machines and other material required in the anganwadis.”
“Even the poor send their children to pre-schools. Why should they spend on private schools when we spend `1, 600 crore in anganwadis where children can study for free?”
The kit includes a pencil, rubber, sharpner, ruler and a book with basic English, Hindi and arithmetic lessons, which is given to children free of cost.
“Children come dressed in uniforms, carrying school bags and ID cards. The whole environment has changed and become much more positive,” he said.
Angawadis are pre-school centres for children between three and six years. The centres provide six services– supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, growth monitoring, healthcare and nutrition education, health check up, immunisation and referral services.
{{/usCountry}}Angawadis are pre-school centres for children between three and six years. The centres provide six services– supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, growth monitoring, healthcare and nutrition education, health check up, immunisation and referral services.
{{/usCountry}}Sharma said the total number of children enrolled after the drive in July was 2, 82,364 up from 1,21,6259.
Data collated by the department show Barmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nagaur and Udaipur are the top five districts with the highest number of enrolment, while Jaisalmer, Dholpur, Bundi, Sirhoi and Pratapgarh have the lowest number of enrolment.
An anganwadi has a team of three staff members who are supervised by a woman supervisor. Each supervisor has 40-50 anganwadis under her. Sharma has started a WhatsApp group of woman supervisors who have to send updates and pictures of their visits to centres under their jurisdiction every day.