Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the interventions proposed for transforming and strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) by the Social Welfare department across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare department, 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; Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Finance/Director Planning of Health, Social Welfare, School Education and Higher Education departments, other senior officers, while as Director School Education Jammu, Director Health Services Jammu, Director Social Welfare Jammu, representatives of BISAG-N and other concerned officers attended the meeting through virtual mode.

During the meeting, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the ongoing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) initiatives, infrastructural preparedness, teacher training modules, learning outcomes, enrolment trends and convergence mechanisms aimed at ensuring quality foundational learning for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.

Addressing the officers, Sakeena Itoo underscored the critical importance of ECCE in shaping the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. She stated that ECCE forms the bedrock of the education system and plays a pivotal role in nurturing young minds during their most formative years.

Stressing on the proper implementation of ECCE framework in coordination with School Education department, the Minister directed all concerned departments to work in close synergy to achieve measurable improvements in nutrition, school readiness and foundational learning outcomes.

She also directed the officers to remove duplicity if any regarding children registered in Anganwadi Centres and schools.

The Minister emphasized that the government is committed to building an inclusive, equitable and child-friendly ECCE framework. She directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective implementation of play-based and activity-oriented learning methodologies across all pre-primary institutions and Anganwadi centres.

Sakeena Itoo stressed the need for strengthening coordination between the School Education department and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure seamless delivery of early learning and nutrition support. She further called for enhanced parental awareness and community participation to create a supportive ecosystem for young learners.

Highlighting the importance of trained educators, the Minister asked the concerned officers to intensify capacity-building programmes for ECCE teachers and Anganwadi workers to equip them with contemporary teaching techniques and child psychology-based learning approaches.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment towards quality education and child welfare, Sakeena Itoo said that sustained efforts are being made to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy while ensuring that every child in Jammu and Kashmir receives a nurturing, stimulating and safe learning environment.

The Minister also directed the concerned officers to strengthen Anameia checkups in AWCs so that maximum beneficiaries are covered.

During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez gave a detailed on proposed interventions regarding ECCE. He informed that innovative mentorship models are being implemented to bridge Anganwadis and primary schools, with mentor teachers providing pedagogical support and on-site guidance. He also said that that internship collaborations are being rolled out to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots.