Deliberating on early childhood education

Gachibowli: As part of its efforts to safeguard educational rights of children, ‘Early Childhood Association’ (ECA), Telangana Chapter, organised a conference on 'Global Practices in Early Childhood Education' at the Oakridge International School here over the weekend.

Briefing media about the Conference Dr Swati Popat Vats, President of ECA & Podar Education Network; the ECA team of educators Radhika, Secretary, ECA, Telangana Chapter and Territory Heads Kausar Sayeed, Mehek Valecha, Mandeep, along with Working Committee member, Padma Priya were present.

Dr Vats outlined the work by the ECA in fetching recognition for ‘Early Childhood Education’ (ECE). “It is the most neglected segment, despite the fact that 90 per cent of brains development happens within fifth year of childhood. There is no specific ministry, as ECE is part of Women and Welfare Department in the Centre and Education Department in the state. ECE lacks standardisation in terms of study curriculum, teacher training norms etc., as the government policy framework for education begins only from first standard,” she said.

“We are urging the government for a dedicated Ministry to take care of ECE, with resources allocated to address issues. There should be one standard qualification for ECE teachers whether they are from private schools, anganwadis, balawadis etc., with specific curriculum and periodicity,” she demanded.

Kausar said, “ECA is doing lot of voluntary work by conducting workshops, training programmes to take our ECE teacher community to the global standards. These workshops are free for the Anganwadi and Balwadi teachers as we want them to utilise modern techniques for children from impoverished communities.”
“Anganwadis can contact us for such training session, we will go and conduct at no cost to them,” she promised.