CM interacts with parents of the children who have taken admission in these playway schools
In a progressive move to prioritise early childhood education, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Sh. Manohar Lal had unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to establish 4,000 play-way schools across the state. This visionary project, aligned with the New Education Policy 2020, aimed to nurture the cognitive and intellectual abilities of children aged 3 to 6 years has finally borne fruitful results as around 40,000 students have taken admissions in these schools.
Haryana Chief Minister shared this information while interacting with the parents of the children who have taken admission in these schools during the audio conferencing held here today.
“One of the central objectives of this initiative is to ensure that quality education is accessible to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. I am happy that at present these Playway schools are poised to provide educational opportunities to approximately 40,000 children. However, now we have planned to open an additional 4,000 schools within the next two years. To facilitate this expansion, 2,500 suitable locations have already been identified,” shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
During the interaction, the parents expressed gratitude and satisfaction before the Chief Minister for opening playway schools having state-of-the-art education facilities as compared to what the children were getting in the Anganwadi centres.
Responding to the suggestions shared by parents during the interaction, the Chief Minister took decisive action and directed officers to address the concerns and improve the education system, especially in areas where the strength of children is high. He directed the officers to ensure the provision of suitable rooms in the play schools having high strength of children. He also directed the officers that, if needed, Anganwadis should be upgraded into play-way schools.
The Chief Minister also directed the Deputy Commissioners to conduct a comprehensive survey of playway schools in their respective districts so as to collect data on existing facilities, resources, and requirements, allowing for decision-making regarding necessary upgrades and room allocations.
Empowering every child’s potential is the utmost priority of the state government
Sh. Manohar Lal underscored the significance of this initiative in line with Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision, which recognizes the importance of early education from the age of 3. While private play schools have traditionally served the more affluent, these government-backed institutions are dedicated to serving every child, irrespective of their family’s financial circumstances.
Playway schools a key to enhancing educational facilities
The Chief Minister said that the government has made considerable efforts to enhance the infrastructure of these play schools. Initiatives include the installation of water purifiers, vibrant wall paintings, swings, sliders, and a wide array of educational toys to stimulate physical and mental development.
Special focus on developing Mathematical Skills
The Chief Minister further shared that a recent survey conducted by the state government highlighted notable progress in children’s language skills but identified a gap in mathematical proficiency among children aged 3 to 5. In response, the present state government is gearing efforts towards strengthening mathematical skills in this age group. An annual survey will be conducted to track progress and make data-driven improvements.
Anganwadi centre upgraded to support working mothers
The Chief Minister said that while recognizing the need for childcare services, the government has upgraded Anganwadi centres to serve as play schools for younger children. Furthermore, 165 crèches have been established to support working mothers, with plans to open an additional 335 crèches in identified locations, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
Comprehensive education under one roof
The Chief Minister said that under the umbrella of the New Education Policy, Haryana is diligently working towards creating educational institutions that offer a seamless educational journey from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) levels, all within a single institution. Currently, admissions have been initiated under the KG to PG scheme in four prominent state universities, he added.
Parental involvement necessary for holistic development
Sh. Manohar Lal emphasised the pivotal role of parents and guardians in a child’s development. He encouraged parents to spend quality time with their children, fostering not only emotional strength but also accelerating their mental development. This engagement, he affirmed, would pave the way for success, not only academically but also in their social lives.
Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Smt. Amneet P Kumar, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, Joint Director, (Admn.), Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Sh. Gaurav Gupta and other officers also remained present on this occasion.
