Balwadi Scheme

• 19 Feb 2022

Why in News

In a cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on February 18, 2022, it was decided that 'Balwadi' would also be started in the premises of 6536 schools of the state where Anganwadis are running.

Key Points

• They will be operated like 'Balwadi' pre-school, where children in the age group of 5 to 6 years will get education through academics and games.
• This decision of the state government is in line with the National Education Policy 2020. 68 thousand 54 children will be benefited in the academic year 2022-23 through this scheme to be operated under the name 'Balwadi'.
• Children's material named 'Balvatika' has been prepared for the operation of 'Balwadi'. Preparations have been made for the training of teachers. Kindergarten will be run in the school premises two hours before the meal break.
• By running this scheme at these places, the foundation will be provided to improve the basic literacy and numeracy among the children before school, which will prove to be the foundation stone in improving the educational level of the children in the primary level.
• Out of 3 lakh 23 thousand 624 students in the age group of 5-6 years of the state, 68 thousand 54 students will be benefited from this session (2022-23).
• It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced the operation of 'Balwadi' in his message to the public on Republic Day on January 26, 2022.
• The total number of primary schools in the state is 30 thousand 574 and the number of Anganwadi centers is 52 thousand 474. The number of such Anganwadi centers, which are located within the school premises, is 6 thousand 536. Pre-schools are to be started at these places through education and sports for children of 5-6 years in the name of Balwadi. Phase wise schemes will be expanded in the coming time.