Meghalaya govt conceptualises early childhood development programme

Source -: PTI 

The Meghalaya government has conceptualised an early childhood development programme, aimed at overall welfare of children, with the state lagging behind in most health indicators. The Early Childhood Development Mission will cater to 1,554 villages, which are not being covered under the ICDS programme. 

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)  is a central government scheme that aims at improving the nutritional and health status of children up to six years of age and reducing the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropoutMeghalaya lags behind in most critical health indicators with a life expectancy rate below the national average. The ECD mission, aimed at overall welfare of children till their 18 years of age, will help improve the overall life expectancy of the state’s future residents. Implementation of the programme requires a collaborative approach from health, social welfare, education, community and rural development departments, he said, while addressing a workshop here on Tuesday to review the state’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) curriculum.

The recommendations made at the workshop are in the process of being reviewed by representatives of various departments, authorities of ICDS, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training. The state’s ECD mission is a multidisciplinary, research based approach which will not only lead to a holistic development of a child but also to overcome poverty.

Also Read: Ways to Reduce Distraction and Increase Retention