Pre-primary classes begin, anganwadi workers upset

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, November 14

Pre-primary classes including nursery, LKG and UKG were started for the first time at Government Primary Schools today.

As per the directions of the Education Department, a welcome programme was organised at some government schools, and a special room had been decorated and prepared at many schools to welcome tiny tots.

Toys and balloons for the children had been placed for the students at some schools. Enrolment for more students for pre-primary was also taking place at many schools.

According to information, with continue enrolment of more students at the Government Primary Schools, the total enrolment of the pre-primary for the district has now reached more than 8,500. The tally at the beginning of the month was around 5,500.

Space still a problem

Most of Government Primary Schools do not have extra space for accommodating students. However, a room was arranged for welcome programme, but these rooms either were staff rooms, library or other classes of the school premises.

One of the government schools had set up a welcome session for pre-primary students in Class I, and the students of the same classes were told to sit with Class-II students.

“These are small children and they would need more care. We have no clue and what would we do,” said a teacher at one of the government schools. Similarly, many teachers said that the government should have created infrastructure first for accommodation for the pre-primary classes before beginning pre-primary classes.

Anganwadi workers boycott

While welcome programmes had been organised for pre-primary students, the Anganwadi workers were seen incensed at the start of the classes. As children from the age of III to VI would now go to pre-primary classes, the Anganwadi workers fear of losing jobs and closure of Anganwadis.

However, Anganwadi workers and helpers had been invited for the welcome programme for pre-primary at schools, but the workers boycotted the programme.

A little tensed atmosphere was seen at Government Senior Secondary School for boys, Jawahar Nagar, where the primary section and Anganwadi are on the same premises. Teachers had requested for Anganwadi room for organising the welcome programme, but Anganwadi workers refused.

“The Angwanwadi is virtually empty today. Nearly, seven to eight children have gone to pre-primary classes in this primary school here (at school at Jawahar Nagar) and around 10 children have gone to attend government school at Bharat Nagar, and there is hardly any child left. If all children go to school, our future will be in dark,” said Niyati, an Anganwadi worker.

“We have not received any instructions from Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children of the State Government to participate in welcome programmes,” she said.