However, on this matter there is consensus—India needs a robust early childhood education programme. The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) runs around 1.3 million anganwadis, with a presence in just about every village in the country. It is a holistic programme, with nutrition, health and child care beginning at birth, and early education from age 3. Over the next 10 years, India needs to significantly improve the funding and quality of anganwadis, make early childhood education a legal right, and regulate private pre-schools. If that cannot happen at home, then it is a public responsibility to offer a high-quality and equitable system of early childhood development to the child.

Source: Mint March 28, 2018 23:15 UTC