MoWCD and MoE Release Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), in collaboration with the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, has released the Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools. The release took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, along with senior officials, state representatives, and Anganwadi workers.

Objective of the Guidelines

The guidelines aim to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through integrated models of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and schools on the same campus. The initiative builds on the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for “one campus, one vision” and seeks to ensure smoother transitions for children from Anganwadi Centres to formal schooling.

Currently, over 2.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres are already co-located with schools. The guidelines provide operational clarity for states and union territories to scale up this model, enabling better use of resources and continuity in children’s education.

Ministers’ Remarks

Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Annpurna Devi said that co-location strengthens the foundation of learning by ensuring a smooth transition from early childhood care to primary education. She highlighted the guidelines as a roadmap for states and UTs to implement the integrated model and contribute to holistic child development.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised that early childhood education is central to lifelong learning. He said that integrating Anganwadis with schools would create a seamless learning environment, strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, and contribute to nurturing India’s human capital for a Viksit Bharat.

Alignment with NEP 2020

The guidelines are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which for the first time recognised ECCE as the foundation of the learning continuum. NEP 2020 proposed integration of three years of pre-school into the 5+3+3+4 structure, with delivery through standalone Anganwadis, co-located Anganwadis, pre-primary sections in schools, and standalone preschools.

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The stated objectives of the guidelines include:

• Ensuring school preparedness and smooth transition to Grade 1.

• Strengthening linkages between Anganwadis and primary schools for joyful and holistic learning.

• Enhancing retention rates at the primary level to improve achievement outcomes.

Core Components of the Guidelines

The document outlines norms and criteria for co-locating Anganwadis with schools, mapping AWCs with nearby schools, creating child-friendly learning environments, and engaging communities and parents. It also highlights the role of various stakeholders in implementing co-location effectively.

States and UTs currently follow varied models with operational challenges. The guidelines seek to address these through inter-ministerial convergence and alignment of ECCE with foundational literacy and numeracy programmes like NIPUN Bharat Mission and Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. Teaching-learning resources such as Jaadui Pitara, e-Jaadui Pitara, and Adharshila will be used in line with the National Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage.

Focus on Inclusion and Infrastructure

The initiative also underscores inclusivity through child-friendly infrastructure, optimal use of resources, and active community participation. It aims to ensure every child experiences a nurturing transition from pre-school to primary education, contributing to the holistic development envisioned by NEP 2020.