Private Pre-Schools And Anganwadis To Be Governed By The State: Key Changes You Need To Know

The Maharashtra state government has announced plans to regulate private kindergartens and anganwadis as part of efforts to bring transparency and improve the quality of pre-primary education, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report. The initiative, which is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, was revealed by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse on Wednesday.

Regulating Pre-Primary Education

In his statement, Bhuse highlighted that a new law to regulate these early childhood education institutions is currently being drafted and will soon be presented to the state legislature. "We are working on a comprehensive law to bring pre-primary education into the mainstream," he said. The law will aim to ensure better governance, safety, and accountability in private kindergartens and anganwadis across the state.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Traditionally, formal education in India began when a child turned six years old. However, the NEP 2020 calls for the inclusion of children from the age of three into the formal education system. This policy change is part of a broader move to ensure that children have access to quality early childhood education and care, which is critical to their development.

New Portals For Registration

As part of the efforts to regulate pre-primary education, the state government has introduced two new online portals: the Maha School GIS Mobile App and the Pre-School Registration Portal. These portals were virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The portals are designed to help register all centres providing early childhood education, including anganwadis and private kindergartens.

The portals will consolidate detailed information on all such centres, including their name, address, management details, student count, facilities, and teaching staff. The aim is to create a comprehensive database that will help the government monitor and manage the sector more effectively.

How To Register

Registration for pre-primary institutions is available through the ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) tab on the education department's website: education.maharashtra.gov.in. This registration is mandatory for all institutions offering early childhood education.

Why Is Registration Important?

The registration initiative has several key benefits:

1. Centralised Information: All pre-primary institutions will be listed in one place, making it easier for the government and citizens to access essential details.
2. Policy Implementation: The registration data will aid in the development and implementation of better policies for pre-primary education.
3. Public Access: Citizens will have access to information about pre-primary classes in their local areas, enabling them to make informed decisions about their children's education.
4. Capacity Estimation: The government will be able to estimate the capacity of employees working in the pre-primary education sector, which will help in future planning and resource allocation.