Hard facts
The ICDS programme covers only 22 percent of the total eligible population of 0-6 yrs. Even when coupled with children enrolled in private-sector/voluntary initiatives (including family day-care homes, nurseries, kindergartens and pre-primary classes) (Report of the Committee on ECE, MHRD, GOI; 2004).
47% of children aged below 3 years are undernourished and 58% of children - in the 12 - 23 months age group - are not fully immunised (NFHS-2 conducted by International Institute of Population Sciences Mumbai).
If the statements above generate some interest in you or make you question the working of Government schemes The links below would help get a wider perspective and understanding on the issue of Early Childhood Care and Education.
- Performance of Anganwadi Centres in Kerala
- Select issues concerning ECCE in India