Srinagar: Minister for Education, Social Welfare and Health & Medical Education Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review proposed interventions for strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Sarmad Hafeez, Commissioner Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Mission Director ICDS Sajad Hussain Ganai, Project Director Samagra Bhawani Rakhwal, Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani and senior officers from the health, education and social welfare departments. Officials from Jammu division and representatives of BISAG-N joined virtually.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed ongoing ECCE initiatives, infrastructural preparedness, teacher training modules, learning outcomes, enrolment trends and convergence mechanisms aimed at improving foundational learning for children aged between three and six years.
Addressing the officers, Sakeena Itoo said ECCE plays a crucial role in the cognitive, emotional and social development of children and forms the foundation of the education system.
She stressed proper implementation of the ECCE framework in coordination with the School Education Department and directed departments to work in close synergy to improve nutrition, school readiness and foundational learning outcomes.
The minister also directed officials to remove duplication, if any, regarding children registered in Anganwadi Centres and schools.
She emphasised the need for an inclusive, equitable and child-friendly ECCE framework and called for effective implementation of play-based and activity-oriented learning methods across all pre-primary institutions and Anganwadi centres.
Sakeena Itoo further stressed stronger coordination between the School Education Department and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure seamless early learning and nutrition support.
She also called for greater parental awareness and community participation to build a supportive ecosystem for children.
Highlighting the importance of trained educators, the minister directed officials to intensify capacity-building programmes for ECCE teachers and Anganwadi workers and equip them with modern teaching methods and child psychology-based approaches.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality education and child welfare, she said efforts are being made to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy while ensuring a safe and nurturing learning environment for every child in Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister also directed officials to strengthen anaemia screening in Anganwadi Centres to ensure maximum coverage of beneficiaries.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Sarmad Hafeez presented details regarding proposed ECCE interventions and informed that innovative mentorship models are being introduced to bridge Anganwadis and primary schools through pedagogical support and on-site guidance by mentor teachers.
He also said internship collaborations are being rolled out to strengthen grassroots-level service delivery.
