Argus News - Colleges to Mentor Anganwadi Centres for ECCE

New Delhi, Apr 9: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued fresh guidelines directing universities and colleges across India to adopt local Anganwadi centres for mentorship and community engagement.

Each institution will be expected to mentor at least five to six Anganwadi centres, integrating them into academic and social service activities.

Key Objectives

• Experiential Learning: Students will gain hands-on exposure through fieldwork, internships, theses, and community service projects.
  
  
• Strengthening ECCE: The initiative focuses on enhancing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children aged 3–6 years.
  
  
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Departments such as education, social work, nutrition, public health, child development, psychology, and social welfare will actively engage with Anganwadi centres.
  
  
• Continuous Support: Regular student visits and monitoring will ensure sustained academic and field-level collaboration.

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The move follows recommendations made during the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries (NCCS), where “Early Childhood Education: Building Strong Foundations” was a key theme. NITI Aayog later published the proceedings, highlighting the need for universities and colleges to adopt Anganwadi centres as part of long-term mentorship and social responsibility efforts.

This initiative is expected to- iprove the quality of early childhood education and care, povide students with valuable professional experience, fster a stronger sense of social responsibility among youth.

The UGC has already written to vice-chancellors and principals of universities and colleges across states, urging them to implement the directive.