NEW DELHI: The government plans to bring in a regulatory framework to rein in play schools, creches and day care centres' charging exorbitant fees without providing standardized curriculum and learning aids. The policy, which includes implementation and monitoring of early child care and education for children below six years, is likely to be discussed in the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
The women and child development (WCD) ministry has mooted the national policy for early childhood care
and education (ECCE) that is targeted at 158.7 million children below 6 years. So far, 75.7 million children or around 48% of children in the country are reported to be covered under the WCD ministry's supplementary food programme -- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
The policy recognizes that the quality of non-formal school and early childhood care is predominantly in the private sector with very uneven implementation. The government's minimalistic approach has aided the mushrooming of such schools across the country. It envisages setting up a national council to establish guidelines for standardization of literature and reading material, learning aids, ensure qualified teachers are appointed and prescribe penal provisions for non-compliance. All institutions of informal education will be required to be registered.
The council will provide a much-needed grievance redressal forum. According to ministry officials, there is little or no check on informal schooling and complaints by parents and NGOs remain unaddressed.
Studies have shown that creches and day care centres are turning into a lucrative business in the absence of enforceable norms.
The policy suggests a multi-pronged approach. In urban areas, the government will act as a regulator for existing child care institutions to ensure basic quality standards and specifications across public, private and voluntary sectors. In rural areas and urban slums, the ECCE will be provided through ICDS centre with planned early stimulation and interactive environment for children below three years.
The policy also recommends ensuring universal access to integrated child development opportunities for all young children by extending health and nutrition counseling to private and voluntary sectors. There will also be linkages to primary schools.
The women and child development (WCD) ministry has mooted the national policy for early childhood care
and education (ECCE) that is targeted at 158.7 million children below 6 years. So far, 75.7 million children or around 48% of children in the country are reported to be covered under the WCD ministry's supplementary food programme -- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
The policy recognizes that the quality of non-formal school and early childhood care is predominantly in the private sector with very uneven implementation. The government's minimalistic approach has aided the mushrooming of such schools across the country. It envisages setting up a national council to establish guidelines for standardization of literature and reading material, learning aids, ensure qualified teachers are appointed and prescribe penal provisions for non-compliance. All institutions of informal education will be required to be registered.
The council will provide a much-needed grievance redressal forum. According to ministry officials, there is little or no check on informal schooling and complaints by parents and NGOs remain unaddressed.
Studies have shown that creches and day care centres are turning into a lucrative business in the absence of enforceable norms.
The policy suggests a multi-pronged approach. In urban areas, the government will act as a regulator for existing child care institutions to ensure basic quality standards and specifications across public, private and voluntary sectors. In rural areas and urban slums, the ECCE will be provided through ICDS centre with planned early stimulation and interactive environment for children below three years.
The policy also recommends ensuring universal access to integrated child development opportunities for all young children by extending health and nutrition counseling to private and voluntary sectors. There will also be linkages to primary schools.
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