The state government of Maharashtra will regulate the pre-schools under the Early Childhood Care and Education policy for children less than six years. The state education and women and child development departments formulated the policy. The government notification has been issued for the implementation of the Maharashtra ECCE policy 2018. It was drafted on the lines of the national ECCE policy 2013.
Vinita Singal, secretary of state women and child development department said “There was need to bring in an early childhood care and education across the state for the appropriate reforms, measure and corrective actions. A state ECCE council has been established, which will be the apex body to guide and oversee the implementation of the policy.”
Every privately-operated and non-governmental schools, day-care centres and anganwadis also need to follow this policy. The role of local bodies will also be laid down by the government regarding the registration of ECCE centres, their regulation, inspections, accreditation and action to be taken in case of complaints or violations. A portal will also be developed for this purpose to take action. This will be used for registration, accreditation, tracking, monitoring and evaluation of pre-schools.
“The regulation will ensure that the right people are doing the right job for the children,” added Meena Mundada, Founder of The Freedom Park.
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