Helping kids in Meghalaya to learn, play and grow

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Sesame Workshop India, SBI Life Insurance and SBI Foundation are set to launch the “Learn, Play, Grow” initiative to strengthen the quality of early education in 3,000 Anganwadis in Meghalaya by which approximately 60,000 young children in will be benefited.

In India, the Anganwadi network, under the aegis of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), is the primary provider of pre-school services to children. The Anganwadi network has made commendable strides in contributing to child and maternal health, early nutrition, and awareness on immunization.

Challenges to the Anganwadi network in the Northeast include the remoteness of the area and the overall lack of community awareness of the need for early education. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, enrolment of 3 to 4-year olds in Anganwadis in Meghalaya is as low as 23.9 percent. While some parents opt for private pre-schools, training and infrastructure in the low-budget pre-schools is also far from adequate. Due to these challenges, learning levels among young children have remained low, with only one-fourth of first-graders in Meghalaya being able to read at grade level 1 2.10.9 percent are unable to recognize letters 22, a basic pre-reading skill.

Speaking about the initiative, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “Young children need stable relationships, care and continuous access to education that will help them build better lives and develop resilience. High-quality education is the cornerstone of success in life. We are committed to bringing the best educational services to the children of Meghalaya as this strengthens the State. Anganwadis are places where children are exposed to early education not just on letters and numbers but life skills too. Through this initiative of the SBI Foundation, we are happy to support measures that ensure the continuum of education is maintained not just in schools but also when kids are at home.”

Nixon Joseph, president, and COO, SBI Foundation says, “We are committed to continuously work towards expanding access to quality early childhood education for children in the underserved communities. This initiative will boost the holistic growth and development of the Children in Meghalaya.”

Also Read: See Pictures: Closing Ceremony of the 9th edition of joint Exercise SAMPRITI held in Meghalaya

Also Watch: Six-mile to Ganeshguri Road Closed due to Overbridge construction; Public inconvenienced.