Project “PA PA PAGLI” (First Steps of the Child): To strengthen quality Preschool Education in Anganwadis:
ICDS, WCD, Gujarat has implement Project “PA PA PAGALI” in line with NEP 2020 for strengthening preschool education in anganwadis with 100% State budget project.
In the New Education Policy 2020, reiterates importance of the early years and especially the preschool education. Over 85% of a child’s cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of 6, indicating the critical importance of appropriate care and stimulation of the brain in a child’s early years for healthy brain development and growth. It is, therefore of the utmost importance that every child has access to quality early childhood care and education (ECCE). Presently, quality ECCE is not available to most young children, particularly children from economically disadvantaged families. Investment in ECCE has the potential to give all young children such access, enabling all children to participate and flourish in the educational system throughout their lives. ECCE would be the greatest and most powerful equalizer. Universal provisioning of quality early childhood development, care and education must be thus achieved by 2030, to ensure that all children entering Grade 1 are school ready.
To achieve universalization of preschool education for all 3 -6 years’ children it has further detailed out the strategy in Chapter 1, and considering Points 1.1 – 1.9 project PA PA PAGALI is conceptualized to strengthen the preschool education in anganwadis.
To achieve the objectives Preschool Instructors are placed at block & district levels.
Project Objectives in line with NEP 2020:
Holistic development of 3-5 years’ children enrolled in Anganwadis
Capacity building of Anganwadi workers to impart preschool education
Provide onsite handholding support to anganwadi workers for preschool education
To establish and popularize anganwadis as center providing quality preschool education.
Capacity Building of Anganwadi workers
Developmental assessment and readiness for the enrollment in Preparatory class in primary school.
Quality Anganwadi Services
Development of Preschool Education Management System
Awareness generation and community participation for establishing Anganwadis as center for quality Preschool Education
Preschool education project approved in budget 2021 -22 with 100% state burden in line with NEP 2020 to strengthen preschool education in anganwadis. Gujarat is first to implement this kind of project to strengthen Preschool Education with 100% state budget in line with NEP 2020.