Hyderabad, June 15: State Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr. Danasari Anasuya Seethakka said Anganwadi centres are laying a strong foundation for the future of children by providing quality early childhood education, nutrition and healthcare services under one roof.
Launching the new academic year enrolment drive under the “Amma Mata – Anganwadi Bata” programme at Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Anganwadi Centre in Mallepally under the Golconda Project limits on Monday, the minister said the state government is transforming Anganwadi centres into model institutions for child development.
Seethakka, along with Nampally MLA Majid Hussain, formally inaugurated the enrolment programme. She distributed uniforms to pre-school children and handed over school readiness certificates to students who completed pre-school education and are set to join primary schools.
The minister also participated in an Aksharabhyasam programme with children, interacted with them and distributed learning materials and toys. She reviewed the quality of pre-school education, nutrition services and teaching-learning materials available at the centre and enquired about the learning progress of the children.
Anganwadi Centres Key to Early Childhood Development
Speaking on the occasion, Seethakka said Anganwadi centres play a crucial role in shaping children during their formative years. She stated that the government is committed to ensuring holistic development through nutrition, pre-school education and healthcare services.
She directed officials to take special measures to ensure that every eligible child is enrolled in an Anganwadi centre. The minister said the primary objective of the “Amma Mata – Anganwadi Bata” programme is to bring Anganwadi services closer to every family and create awareness among parents about the benefits available through the system.
Seethakka said the government is developing Anganwadi centres not merely as nutrition centres but as the first schools that shape a child’s future. She noted that earlier there was no system of providing uniforms to Anganwadi children, but the present government is supplying two sets of uniforms to every child.
The minister revealed that a pilot breakfast programme introduced in Bhadradri Kothagudem and Adilabad districts received a positive response and will soon be expanded across Telangana. She added that 57 varieties of educational and play materials have been introduced to strengthen early childhood care and education programmes.
According to Seethakka, nearly nine lakh children are currently enrolled in Anganwadi centres across the state. The government is providing nutritious food, including breakfast, khichdi and egg biryani, to improve child health and nutrition levels.
She said Anganwadi teachers have received special English-language training, while colourful educational paintings have been introduced in centres to enhance creativity, cognitive development and learning abilities among children.
“Through Anganwadi centres, we are strengthening children’s knowledge base and creating a strong educational foundation. Telangana has nearly 38,000 Anganwadi centres. We have also addressed the concerns of Anganwadi staff and sanctioned one-and-a-half months of leave as requested,” she said.
Appealing to parents, Seethakka urged them to enrol their children in Anganwadi centres instead of spending large amounts on private nursery schools. She said Anganwadi teachers possess the skills and commitment needed to provide quality early education and prepare children for future academic success.
Later, the minister flagged off an awareness rally and interacted with the local community. Participants raised slogans such as “Amma Mata – Anganwadi Bata” and “Private Nursery Vaddu, Anganwadi Muddu” to promote the importance of Anganwadi education.
The minister reiterated that the government is giving top priority to early childhood education, nutrition and overall child welfare and will continue to strengthen Anganwadi services across the state.
Women and Child Welfare Principal Secretary Anita Ramachandran, Director Shruti Ojha, Hyderabad District Collector Priyanka Ala, Joint Director Moti, Golconda Project CDPO Renuka, supervisors, Anganwadi teachers, helpers, beneficiaries and local residents participated in the programme.
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