Surplus teachers in government and government-aided primary schools have joined duty at select anganwadi centres where LKG and UKG classes under Montessori system began functioning from this academic year.
LKG and UKG admissions have been made in about 88 anganwadi centres attached to middle schools, under the first phase, according to a senior official.
Surplus teachers have understandably joined duty in most of the anganwadi centres.
According to teachers’ organisations, the school education department has posted surplus teachers in anganwadi centres on deputation. Officials, however, said the newly-posted teachers will have to remain in anganwadi centres that are under administrative control of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme.
The anganwadi centres had, so far, been providing non-formal pre-school education, along with supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-up, referral service, nutrition and health education.
Under ICDS, the preschool education implies holistic development of children that ensures their overall physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
Last year, the government issued an order stating that the aim of offering Montessori type pre-school education in anganwadi centres was to step up enrolment of children.
The government, officials said, intends to upgrade infrastruture of anganwadi centres with LKG and UKG classes in phases. To begin with, each anganwadi centre has been provided with funds for purchase of educational kits and teaching and learning materials suitable for children in the age group of four to five years.
The government is planning to carry out a baseline survey to determine learning outcome and improvement in attendance in these anganwadi centres.
Children attending the LKG and UKG classes in anganwadi centres will be provided with free uniforms, footwear, books and other freebies.
The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will be conducting a five-day crash course for teachers handling the LKG and UKG classes, sources said.