J&K Minister Sakeena Itoo reviews early childhood care and education initiatives

During the meeting, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the ongoing ECCE initiatives, infrastructural preparedness, teacher training modules, learning outcomes, enrolment trends and convergence mechanisms aimed at ensuring quality foundational learning for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.

Addressing the officers, Sakeena Itoo underscored the critical importance of ECCE in shaping the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. She stated that it forms the bedrock of the education system and plays a pivotal role in nurturing young minds during their most formative years.

Stressing on the proper implementation of ECCE framework in coordination with the School Education department, the Minister directed all concerned departments to work in close synergy to achieve measurable improvements in nutrition, school readiness and foundational learning outcomes.

She also directed the officers to remove duplicity, if any, regarding children registered in Anganwadi centres and schools.

The Minister emphasised that the government is committed to building an inclusive, equitable and child-friendly ECCE framework. She directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective implementation of play-based and activity-oriented learning methodologies across all pre-primary institutions and Anganwadi centres.

Sakeena Itoo stressed the need for strengthening coordination between the School Education Department and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure seamless delivery of early learning and nutrition support. She further called for enhanced parental awareness and community participation to create a supportive ecosystem for young learners.

Highlighting the importance of trained educators, the Minister asked the concerned officers to intensify capacity-building programmes for ECCE teachers and Anganwadi workers to equip them with contemporary teaching techniques and child psychology-based learning approaches.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment towards quality education and child welfare, Sakeena Itoo said that sustained efforts are being made to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy while ensuring that every child in Jammu and Kashmir receives a nurturing, stimulating and safe learning environment.

The Minister also directed the concerned officers to strengthen Anaemia check ups in AWCs so that maximum beneficiaries are covered.