Rs.406 Cr. approved for ECCE programme under ICDS during 2017-18

New Delhi: The salient features of the National Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Policy are:

i. Access with equity and inclusion in programmes and interventions across service providers;
ii Improving quality, Strengthening Capacity, Monitoring and Supervision;
iii Research and Documentation;
iv Advocacy and awareness generation;
v Convergence and Coordination among policies and programmes;
vi Institutional and Implementation Arrangements;
vii Partnerships, Periodic Review and Increased investment towards ECCE.

The objectives of the ECCE Policy are as below:

i. Facilitate comprehensive childcare supports, infrastructure and services aimed at holistic well-being of children and responsive to their developmental needs along the continuum of care from conception to age of six years.

ii Universalise and reinforce ECCE and ensure adaptive strategies for inclusion of all children with specific attention to vulnerable children.

iii Engage capable human resources and build their capacity to enhance and develop quality services for children and their families.

iv Set out the quality standards and curriculum framework for ECCE provisions and ensure their application and practice through advocacy and enforcement through appropriate institutional arrangements.

v Raise awareness and create common understanding about the significance of ECCE and promote strong partnerships with communities and families in order to improve the quality of life of young children through institutional and programmatic means and appropriate use of technology as required.

vi Recognise diversity of contexts, develop and promote culturally appropriate strategies and materials and work within the framework of decentralized governance using participating and locally responsive approaches.

The Government provides funds under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme for implementation of ECCE as per the approved cost sharing between Centre and States/UTs. Details of funds expended/ released during last three years and funds approved under Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP) for 2017-18 is given below:
(Rs. in lakhs)

Name of State/UT
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Funds expended
Funds expended
Funds released
Funds approved in APIP
Total
23195.74
12601.10
38984.30
40594.89

The objectives of the Policy with reference to several success indicators including ‘Quality Standards for ECCE’ for building and infrastructure, pupil-teacher interaction, learning experiences planned for children, health, nutrition, personal care and routine, assessment and outcome measures and trained staff have been fulfilled to a large extent. Under the National ECCE Policy the States/UTs are required to introduce Annual Contextualized Curriculum along with PSE kit by aligning to the curriculum, activity books and celebrate ECCE day on monthly basis.

This information was given by Minister for Women & Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.