Accordingly, the government will procure and supply these kits to over 54,000 anganwadi centres and about 5,000 mini anganwadi centres in the state, at a cost of more than Rs 15 crore. 

Under the new Centre’s Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDSS), now the state could provide more than one kit with more components or qualitatively better materials. 

The enhanced kits will include puppets, soft toy sets, mirror and props for play, string and heads, pre-number cards, story flash cards, wooden blocks, plasticine, colours, paint brushes and balls. Earlier, under the ICDSS scheme only one kit was provided to the anganwadi centres in the state. 

As per the instructions from the Centre, all the kits will be purchased through e-procurement to avoid corruption and ensure transparency. The project will be implemented under the 60:40 funding pattern between Central and the state. 

A senior official from the Social Welfare Department said that pre-school education component aims to provide a learning environment for the holistic development of children up to six years. 

“In order to promote social, emotional, cognitive, motor and physical development of the child at the tender age, pre-school education is given through play method to the children in anganwadi centres and for which a new syllabus is also framed,” the official added. 

The new guidelines for pre-school education will be coming out with new study materials and assessment cards for the kids of different age group. In addition, printing of pre-school leaving certificates, printing of child profile book and printing of support materials will also be done. The director ICDSS has been authorised to utilise Rs 15.59 crore at the rate of Rs 3,000 per main anganwadi centre and Rs 1,500 per mini anganwadi centre under the scheme.