Tuticorin anganwadis to have better facilities

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), under the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy, plans to augment infrastructure facilities at anganwadis in the district with an outlay of Rs 10.98 lakh during the current fiscal under the Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) project.

S. G. Kumaradoss, assistant district programme co-ordinator of the SSA, told The Hindu that child-friendly environment would be created at 366 anganwadis in 13 blocks. Twenty eight anganwadis each in Alwarthirunageri, Karungulam, Kayathar, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram, Pudur, Sattankulam, Srivaikundam, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin rural, Udangudi and Vilathikulam blocks and 30 anganwadis in the Tuticorin urban block had been selected for infrastructure upgradation.

"We will provide learning material, fans, mats, pillows, low-level boards and other necessary equipment, worth Rs. 3,000, to each of the selected anganwadis on a need basis, so that the children will have a conducive learning environment," he said.

The new facilities would give emphasis on pleasure, perception and participation of children in schools, in a better manner. "The integrated approach of meeting the needs of children at anganwadis will recognise the continuum of learning and development," Mr. Kumaradoss said.

Besides upgrading anganwadis, 24 cluster resource centres (CRCs) and 40 additional classrooms would be established under the SSA programme in the district during the current fiscal.

The new CRCs will come up on school premises across 13 blocks, with a maximum of two in each block.

"We have also set plans to electrify 130 schools before March 31, 2007."

Source: The Hindu