NEW DELHI: According to information provided by ASER 2024, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a significant decline in the number of children attending Anganwadi Centres.
The report shows that the percentage of 5-year-old children enrolled in Anganwadis in Punjab dropped from 5.4% in 2018 to just 2.4% in 2024 and in Himachal from 15.8% to 7.4% during the same tenure
This trend contrasts with the national picture, where many states have increased Anganwadi enrollment.
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As per ASER 2024, Anganwadi Centres, also known as ICDS centres, play a crucial role in Indiaโs education landscape by providing early childhood education along with health, immunization, and nutritional support.
These centres are an integral part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes bringing children aged 3-6 into the formal education structure.
The NEP 2020 categorizes ages 3-8 as the โfoundational stage,โ comprising three years of early childhood education and two years of formal schooling.
While states like Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have seen a rise in the percentage of 5-year-olds attending Anganwadis, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh show a declining trend.
For instance, Odishaโs enrollment increased from 52% in 2018 to 70% in 2024, and in West Bengal, the percentage rose from 44% to 55%.
Experts suggest that the decreasing numbers in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh could be linked to the rising popularity of private pre-schools, including LKG and UKG, as well as a perception among parents that private institutions offer better educational quality.
Additionally, the availability of private pre-schools in urban and semi-urban areas is influencing parental choices.
ASER 2024 also reveals that the national enrollment rate for children aged 3 in early childhood education programs increased from 68.1% in 2018 to 77.4% in 2024.
For 4-year-olds, the rate grew from 76% to 83.4% over the same period.
However, Punjabโs and Himachalโs declining numbers indicate that Anganwadis may not be the preferred choice for parents despite their holistic approach to child development.
