Committee moots State-level system to monitor preschools, creches

A State-level mechanism should be constituted to monitor the functioning of preschools, including creches, and examine any complaints related to them, a special report on improving the functioning of creche, day care centre, preschool and kindergarten by the Assembly Committee on Welfare of Women, Transgenders, Children and the Differently Abled has recommended.

The committee mooted a State-level monitoring committee to examine complaints related to such institutions in the private sector. High-level committees should also be formed at the panchayat/municipal level.

The committee observed that only 190 anganwadi-cum-creches of the 304 sanctioned by the Union government under the Palna scheme are functioning in the State. The Palna scheme provides creche facilities in a safe environment for children in the age group of six months to six years. As formalisation of care facilities enables more women to take up gainful employment since they become free from unpaid child-care responsibilities, the committee recommended that the functioning of the remaining anganwadi-cum-creches begin in the State.

It also mooted a coordination mechanism under the Women and Child Development department so that child care and learning could be improved and financial support through Central projects could be utilised effectively.

Common guidelines

The committee recommended making the National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy, which recommends common guidelines for all preschools, including creches, functioning in the government and private sector, binding on the State.

The policy rules should make a provision that only those preschools that follow the guidelines should be given registration and permission to function. It should be provided in the guidelines that these facilities be equipped with CCTV monitoring that is accessible to parents.

The registration rules for day cares, preschools, and kindergartens should ensure the quality of teachers and care-givers in these facilities.

The committee wanted the Women and Child Development department and the General Education department to together implement a uniform and scientific curriculum for all preschools, including creches, in the State.

The functioning of anganwadi welfare committees should be made more effective to handle complaints related to anganwadis in grama panchayat jurisdictions.

It also called for coordination between the WCD department and the Local Self-Government department for development of preschools and child care centres across the State against the backdrop of local bodies’ inability to provide required support, coordination, and monitoring to child care centres in their limits.