Smart anganwaris come up in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 6

In a bid to promote pre-school education among small children, the Nalagarh administration has digitalised 20 centres in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt.

A beginning was made in November last year to spruce up the anganwadi centres, where a large number of children come for pre-school education as it was found that these centres lacked facilities for promoting early childhood health. The Corporate Social Responsibility scheme had helped in arranging funds for this venture, which would make these centres lively and attract more children, said Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nalagarh, Mahendra Pal.

These centres are located at Sheetalpur, Swaraj Majra, Billawali, Kalyanpur, Bhoopnagar, Jharmajri, Bhatoli Kalan, Makhnu Majra 1 and 2, Nichli Sandholi, Nichla Malpur, Gullarwala, Narangpur, Ha Raipur, Kishanpura, Kharuni, Dadi Bhola, Nichla Kheda, Kadwana and Gurumajra villages.

“Humana Foundation, which has been working in the field of primary education, pitched in and help was also sought from Johnson and Johnson to provide facilities like LED televisions, where pen drives can be used to make available colourful and easy-to-understand digital content for children,” added Pal.

In order to attract small children, the centres have been painted in bright colours. Enrolment has picked up now and 43 children have already enrolled.

The maximum children have been enrolled at the Malpur centre, followed by those at Swaraj Majra, Jharmajri, Barotiwala and Thana. “Jitendra Kasana from Humana Foundation has helped immensely in the venture as the NGO already works in the field of primary education and is well aware of the needs of small children. Once functional after the pandemic, they will also help in strengthening the health of the children as they will be served nutritious food,” added the SDM.