Coimbatore: Anganwadis across the district face shortage of staff, resulting in an additional workload on the existing staff. According to the anganwadi workers, recruitment has not been done since 2018, resulting in more than 1,000 vacancies for teacher and helper postings at the 1600-odd centres in the district.
Not just teachers and helpers, even senior posts under the Integrated Child Development Scheme are lying vacant in Coimbatore and are being taken care of by officers from neighbouring places sent on deputation. A teacher with an anganwadi in the city said, "Due to staff shortage, we are forced to look after two anganwadis. We will visit the other anganwadi twice a week. In the meantime, it's the helper who takes care of the children. It is absolutely risky for the helper to handle the kids alone while doing cooking and other works."
Teachers also have to take care of additional responsibilities like registering childbirth, maternal health of registered ladies and postnatal observation.
S Subbulakshmi, mother of a toddler at the Pappanaickenpalayam Anganwadi, said the anganwadi workers were unable to give adequate attention to children because of the heavy workload.
"Children below the age of four require playful activities for effective learning. However, there is a lack of such activities at the anganwadis. The availability of toys is limited, and the ambience is not engaging enough to attract children," she said.