Jammu, Mar 10: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, chaired a detailed review meeting today to discuss proposals aimed at strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) framework across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting focused on enhancing convergence between Social Welfare, Education, Health, and allied departments to improve early learning outcomes at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).

The session was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez; Mission Director POSHAN, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Director Finance and Planning SWD; Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs); and other senior officials.
During the review, the Minister emphasized the critical role of early childhood education in laying the foundation for lifelong learning and cognitive development. She directed officials to prepare a time-bound action plan to ensure quality standards and measurable improvements in child development indicators across the Union Territory.
Highlighting the importance of AWCs as community learning hubs, the Minister instructed that these centres be transformed into vibrant early learning spaces, equipped with child-friendly infrastructure, activity-based learning materials, and trained personnel. She stressed that Anganwadi workers, as first educators, must be empowered through continuous capacity-building programmes and modern pedagogical tools.
The meeting also focused on inter-departmental coordination, particularly between Social Welfare, School Education, Health & Medical Education, and Rural Development departments, to ensure seamless delivery of services for young children and mothers. The Minister underscored early childhood care as a long-term investment in human capital, emphasizing the need for parental awareness campaigns on nutrition, early stimulation, and pre-school readiness, especially in rural areas.
Commissioner Secretary SWD presented proposed initiatives including:
Mentorship Programmes where primary school teachers guide Anganwadi workers, ensuring smooth transition to Grade I.
University and college student participation under Mission POSHAN as Poshan Mitras for nutrition awareness and growth monitoring.
Officer Adoption Programme to provide mentorship, monitor implementation, and strengthen community engagement.
Positioning AWCs as integrated service hubs offering nutrition, early learning, and health support.
The Commissioner also outlined digital and infrastructural interventions such as:
Four-tier training ecosystem involving DIETs, NIPCCD, MLTCs, and mentor teachers.
Digital transformation initiatives, including QR-enabled AWCs, One Child One Card system, APAAR ID integration, and Poshan Tracker for real-time monitoring.
Community-centric initiatives like Poshan on Wheels, Ring the Bell Campaign for punctuality, Sanwarein Bachpan NGO partnership for foundational learning, and POSHAN Vatika nutrition gardens.
The Minister instructed officers to ensure effective implementation of these initiatives, emphasizing that enhanced ECCE services and community engagement would pave the way for holistic development of children aged 3–6 years, ultimately building confident and capable future citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
This comprehensive review reflects the J&K government’s commitment to transforming Anganwadi Centres into modern, resource-rich, and integrated early learning hubs, strengthening both education and nutrition outcomes for young children