Srinagar, May 18: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess proposed interventions aimed at transforming and 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; besides senior officers from Health, Finance, Planning, and Social Welfare departments. Officials from Jammu divisions and BISAG-N participated virtually.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed key aspects of ECCE implementation, including infrastructure readiness, teacher training modules, learning outcomes, enrolment trends, and convergence mechanisms designed to strengthen foundational learning for children aged 3 to 6 years.
Sakeena Itoo emphasized that ECCE is the foundation of the education system and plays a crucial role in shaping the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children. She stressed the need for coordinated efforts between departments to ensure measurable improvements in nutrition, school readiness, and learning outcomes.
Directing departments to work in synergy, the Minister called for elimination of duplication in records of children enrolled in Anganwadi Centres and schools. She reiterated the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and child-friendly ECCE framework with a focus on play-based and activity-oriented learning methodologies across all pre-primary institutions.
She also underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between the School Education Department and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for seamless delivery of early education and nutrition support. The Minister further stressed the need for greater parental awareness and community participation to create a supportive environment for young learners.
Highlighting the role of trained educators, Sakeena Itoo directed authorities to intensify capacity-building programmes for ECCE teachers and Anganwadi workers, equipping them with modern teaching methods and child psychology-based approaches.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality education and child welfare, she said sustained efforts are underway to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, ensuring every child in Jammu and Kashmir receives a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment.
The Minister also directed officials to strengthen anaemia screening at Anganwadi Centres to ensure wider coverage of beneficiaries.
Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Sarmad Hafeez briefed the meeting on proposed interventions, including innovative mentorship models linking Anganwadis with primary schools. He said mentor teachers are being deployed for pedagogical support and on-site guidance, along with internship collaborations aimed at improving grassroots service delivery.