Over 17,700 Schools Include Pre-School Facilities

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating its push into early childhood education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, with 17,746 government schools now offering either pre-primary sections or co-located Anganwadi centres. In tandem, 24,931 Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) in the UT have been trained in early stimulation and foundational education frameworks, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The initiative is backed by rising public investment. Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 161.10 crore in 2021–22, Rs 223.53 crore in 2022–23, and Rs 384.63 crore in 2023–24 under central government schemes for women and child development, covering Anganwadi infrastructure upgrades, worker training, and integration of pre-primary learning with NEP 2020 objectives. Officials said utilisation rates remain high, reflecting an active push to improve access and quality.

This training is part of the centrally run Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) programme, launched in May 2023 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which prioritises age-appropriate learning via the Navchetana and Aadharshila modules, aligned with NEP 2020 and NIPUN Bharat goals.