PYQ Relevance:

Mains:
1. Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail (2021)

2. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (2016)

Prelims:
In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of (2020)
a) Digital security infrastructure,
b) Food security infrastructure,
c) Health care and education infrastructure
d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

Note4Students:

Relevance: GS II (Social Justice)

Prelims: Government Schemes for minor sections of the Society;
Mains: Education; Health;

Mentors Comment: Human Resources are the bedrock of a nation, and early childhood care is the bedrock of a human being. If we want India’s women to work and India’s children to thrive, investing in ECCE is the crucial step towards development of Indian Human Resource. In order to formulate evidence-based policy, it is critical to understand the opportunity cost of inadequate allocation of material resources, and high-quality talent to the early childhood sector.

Let’s Learn.

Why in the News?

Recently, an argument for investment in early childhood care and education has increased after the Interim budget 2024.

Context:

The Employer Rating Survey revealed at the “Women in the Workforce for Viksit Bharat” (30^th Jan 2024) event, highlights a shift recognizing ‘Child Care and Upbringing’ as crucial work for the nation.
Despite India’s emphasis on demographic dividend, education, and jobs, early childhood education has been historically neglected and underexplored.

Significance of ECCE Investment and Government Initiatives for Early Care:

Implementing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) initiatives can have wide-ranging developmental benefits for India by preparing children for school education, reducing dropouts, and enhancing literacy and numeracy skills.
The focus on ECCE is crucial for India’s future development, aligning with global efforts to invest in human capital for inclusive growth and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Early childhood is fundamental for individual development and the nation’s human resources. The Indian government has progressively focused on parental education aspirations, enhancing access, quality, and learning outcomes.

Nobel Laureate Heckman’s Perry Preschool study found that children who received high-quality ECCE grew into less violent adults — stronger socio-emotional skills built early might even help prevent later student suicides.

Slowly, but surely, India has fostered and catered to parental aspirations for education, targeting first access, crossing 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio at the primary level, and now quality, with an increased focus on measuring learning outcomes.
Initiatives like ‘NIPUN Bharat’ by the Ministry of Education’s National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading and the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s (MWCD) ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ to improve ECCE quality through the Anganwadi system target children under six for foundational literacy and numeracy.

Initiatives by the Indian Government to Improve ECCE Quality

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Other Programs and Policies:

Anganwadi system: It is a government-sponsored program in India started in 1975 to combat child hunger and malnutrition, providing basic health care, nutrition, and early learning initiatives. As of March 2021, there are 13.87 lakh Anganwadi and mini-Anganwadi centers operational in India.

Implementation of NEP 2020: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on strengthening the foundation of learning, especially the ECCE, to enhance school readiness and create developmental benefits for children entering schools, leading to improved educational outcomes.
Vidya Pravesh Program: The government launched the Vidya Pravesh program as part of NEP 2020, offering a three-month play-based school readiness module for Grade 1 students to enhance school readiness and prepare them for formal education.
Strengthening Systems for Quality Education: UNICEF has been working to strengthen systems in India to enhance the provision of quality early childhood education. By focusing on improving ECCE systems, UNICEF aims to ensure that every child receives quality education for school readiness and lifelong learning

What are the challenges faced by the Indian Government in Implementing ECCE Initiatives?

Fragmented Service Delivery: Division of Responsibilities and funds between Union and Centre stalls Effective Implementation of Child-Friendly Policies in Early Childhood Care and Education.
Lack of standardization: ECCE programs lack standardization and regulation, leading to disparities in curricula, educational quality, and teacher qualifications.
Coordination Challenges: The division of responsibilities between the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Human Resource Development complicates policy implementation and coordination for holistic child development.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Training Needs: Implementing ECCE initiatives requires significant investments in infrastructure, teacher training, and resource personnel to ensure safe environments, adequate facilities, and quality education delivery.
Standardization vs. Customization: Balancing the need for standardized guidelines with the necessity for customization based on cultural and social diversities poses a challenge in setting quality benchmarks for ECCE programs.

Need for research in India (Way Forward)

Understand macroeconomic and social implications: International studies suggest a 13% annual return on investment for early childhood care. India needs similar studies to explore the impact of early childhood care, including the Anganwadi system.
Need to be Goal-oriented: Children born in 2024 will be five years into adulthood by 2047, India’s 100th year of independence and the target year for Viksit Bharat. Investing in ECCE is crucial for India’s future development.

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References: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-economic-case-for-investing-in-indias-children/article67896821.ece