Mysuru District Launches 109 Model Pre-Schools in Anganwadi Centers
The Department of Women and Child Development in Mysuru district has initiated a transformative pilot project, converting 109 out of 2,935 anganwadi centers into model pre-schools specifically designed for children under six years old. This ambitious upgrade aims to significantly strengthen early childhood education across the region, with a focus on providing high-quality learning environments that rival private institutions.
Comprehensive Upgrades and Bilingual Education
These newly established model pre-schools, located in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's home district, feature dedicated buildings equipped with modern amenities. The curriculum emphasizes bilingual education, offering lessons in both Kannada and English to foster language development from an early age. Children are encouraged to wear uniforms and carry school bags and pencil boxes, instilling a sense of discipline and routine similar to conventional schools.
Officials have highlighted that the upgrade includes permission to issue transfer certificates, facilitating seamless transitions for children moving on to further schooling. This move is part of a broader strategy to standardize early education and ensure continuity in the academic journey of young learners.
Community Support and Infrastructure Enhancements
With substantial support from donors, philanthropists, alumni associations, organizations, and private individuals, the department successfully revamped 108 centers in the initial phase. The enhancements include vibrant wall paintings, well-maintained gardens, and mini amusement parks, creating engaging and stimulating environments for children.
The distribution of these upgraded centers is as follows:
- 11 centers each in Biligere block, Nanjangud, and KR Nagar
- 13 centers each in Mysuru taluk, T Narasipura, Hunsur, Periyapatna, and HD Kote
- 10 centers in Mysuru city
Staff Training and Additional Facilities
To ensure the effective operation of these model pre-schools, the department has deputed anganwadi activists and assistants to these centers, implementing a dress code to maintain professionalism. The upgraded facilities now provide uniforms, clean drinking water, toilets, and other basic amenities, addressing essential needs for a conducive learning atmosphere.
Makkala Jagruthi Samsthe, a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting anganwadi children, played a crucial role by training activists and assistants to teach in both English and Kannada. This training approach mirrors that of convent pre-schools, aiming to deliver quality education that bridges linguistic gaps.
Future Plans and Community Involvement
Deputy Director C Basavaraju explained that the development of 108 centers as model pre-schools is intended to attract more children by offering comprehensive facilities. He further noted that taluk-level officers have been directed to initiate measures to convert the remaining anganwadi centers into model units, emphasizing the importance of community participation in this ongoing effort.
Sunayana Chatrapathi, CEO of Makkala Jagruthi Samsthe, reiterated the NGO's commitment to collaborating with the department to train anganwadi staff and ensure the delivery of quality education. This partnership underscores a collective drive to elevate early childhood learning standards across Mysuru district, setting a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions.
