Government aims to transform AWCs into vibrant early learning spaces: Sakeena Itoo

JAMMU : Minister for Social Welfare, Education , Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to discuss various proposals focusing on enhanced convergence of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) framework with Education, Health, and other allied departments to further strengthen the early learning ecosystem at Anganwadi Centres across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare department (SWD), Sarmad Hafeez; Mission Director POSHAN, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Director Finance and Director Planning SWD, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) of Jammu and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the Social Welfare Minister took detailed assessment of various interventions proposed by the SWD for upgrading existing framework for ECCE and strengthening its convergence with Anganwadi Centres.
The meeting focused on enhancing foundational learning, improving nutritional outcomes, and ensuring holistic development of children in the 3–6 years age group through coordinated implementation of ECCE policies across the Union Territory.
During the review, the Minister underscored the critical importance of early childhood education as the cornerstone of lifelong learning and cognitive development. She directed the officers to prepare a time-bound action plan for proper implementation of these initiatives, ensuring quality standards and achieving measurable outcomes in child development indicators across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the pivotal role of Anganwadi Centres, the Minister directed officials to transform these centres into vibrant early learning spaces equipped with child-friendly infrastructure, activity-based learning materials and trained human resource. “Anganwadi workers serve as first educators for children, they must be empowered through continuous capacity-building programmes and modern pedagogical tools”, she asserted.
Calling for stronger inter-departmental coordination, the Minister stressed convergence between the Social Welfare, School Education, Health & Medical Education Department and Rural development departments to ensure seamless delivery of services to young children and mothers.
“Early childhood care is not merely a welfare initiative but a long-term investment in human capital. A child who receives proper nutrition, care and early education grows into a confident and capable citizen,” the Minister observed.
She further instructed officers to strengthen parental awareness campaigns focusing on nutrition, early stimulation and pre-school readiness, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The Minister also reviewed plans for digital monitoring mechanisms, improved infrastructure support and enhanced learning assessment tools to track developmental milestones among children enrolled at Anganwadi Centres.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary SWD gave a detailed presentation on proposed initiatives for strengthening of ECCE in J&K and its convergence with other allied departments. He informed the Minister that through these initiatives Universal access and equity in early learning will be boosted which will lead to holistic development of child.
The Commissioner Secretary also apprised the Minister that strategies like mentorship programme in which Teachers from nearby primary schools will mentor Anganwadi Workers, ensuring seamless transition from preschool to Grade-I and improving pedagogical quality through monthly on-site visits. He also said that University and college students will be made stakeholders who will participate as interns under Mission POSHAN, acting as Poshan Mitras and supporting nutrition awareness, growth monitoring, and learning activities.
The Commissioner Secretary also informed that Officer Adoption Programme is proposed by which Government officers will adopt Anganwadi Centres, providing mentorship, monitoring implementation, and strengthening community engagement with monthly visits and structured reporting.
He also apprised the Minister that Anganwadi Centres are being positioned as community hubs of integrated services.
The Commissioner also outlined other initiatives like a four-tier training ecosystem involving DIETs, NIPCCD, MLTCs and mentor teachers for Capacity Building, Digital Transformation of Anganwadi Services like QR-enabled Anganwadi Centres, One Child One Card digital identity system, APAAR ID integration for preschool children, Poshan Tracker digital monitoring as well as Real-time service visibility for communities. He also briefed the Minister about other key initiatives like Poshan on Wheels for doorstep services and beneficiary registration, Ring the Bell Campaign promoting punctuality and transparency, NGO partnership initiative “Sanwarein Bachpan” for strengthening foundational learning and POSHAN Vatika nutrition gardens across AWCs.