KOZHIKODE: The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policy of the government which made mandatory 500 square feet space for anganwadis for rent allowance is affecting city anganwadis.
Out of the 543 anganwadis in the city limit, nearly 244 do not having stipulated area and will not be eligible for government grant of Rs 3,000 as building rent.
Though the policy is to ensure quality education and environment for the children, if not found space it would affect the pre-primary education of many children.
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) project officer Najma M.H. said the policy was formulated with positive intention.
“The private pre-primary schools here are having much better facilities than our anganwadis and if we cannot provide proper facilities, their very existence will be in question,” she told DC.
The official added that in order to reap the benefits, the civic bodies should ensure the facilities.
“Earlier, the building rent was Rs 750 and now it has been increased to Rs 3,000. We should make use of such positive things,” she added.
The issue has been raised in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Council recently. However, the councillors demanded government to review the policy not allowing rent allowance for anganwadis.
“As many as 244 anganwadis are on the verge of closure and the government should remove the clause which denies building allowance,” said councillor Peroth Prakashan.
