Education
Ministry of Women and Child Development Unveils National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education
Marking a new chapter in India’s approach to early childhood education, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has unveiled the launch of two pioneering initiatives. These include a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for children aged three to six years and a National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for infants from birth to three years. This move is set against the backdrop of the National Education Policy 2020, underlining India’s commitment to nurturing the potential of its youngest citizens during the crucial early years when 85% of brain development occurs.
The initiatives aim to fortify India’s ECCE landscape through comprehensive childcare support, encapsulating educational resources, nutritional support, and activities for holistic development. This is further supported by the Ministry’s empowerment and support schemes for mothers and children under six years through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, alongside the Palna and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) under Mission Shakti.
Currently, the Ministry operates 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres nationwide, serving over 8 crore children under the age of six. The new curriculum for three to six-year-olds aligns with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022, covering a range of developmental domains and emphasizing competency-based lesson plans and activities. It introduces a structured weekly calendar for a year-round active learning experience, featuring a blend of in-centre and at-home, indoor and outdoor, as well as child-led and educator-led activities. The curriculum also includes robust assessment tools and special focus on the inclusion of Divyang (differently-abled) children.
For infants from birth to three years, the National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation aims to empower caregivers and Anganwadi Workers with knowledge and activities for optimal physical and brain development. It builds on the Nurturing Care Framework principles, focusing on responsive caregiving, early learning opportunities, and the crucial role of ‘serve and return’ interactions in child development.
The curriculum and framework have been developed by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), incorporating feedback from Anganwadi Workers to ensure flexibility and effectiveness. NIPCCD will spearhead the training of Anganwadi functionaries on the new initiatives, with provisions also to be integrated into the Poshan Tracker for enhanced tracking and support.
By reimagining the landscape of early childhood education in India, these new initiatives promise to transform Anganwadi Centres into vibrant hubs of learning and development, ensuring that the nation’s children have the best possible start in life.
Source- PIB