In NEP 2020 the responsibility of Early Childhood Care and Education shall be delivered through which of the following Early Childhood Education institutions?
(a) Stand-alone Anganwadis
(b) Anganwadis co-located with primary schools
(c) Pre-primary schools/sections co-located with existing primary schools
(d) Stand-alone pre-schools

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (a), (b), (c), (d).

Information Booster

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the critical importance of the Foundational Stage (ages 3–8) and states that Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children aged 3-6 shall be delivered through a significantly expanded and strengthened system of early childhood education institutions.

This system is deliberately designed to be comprehensive and inclusive, utilizing all available channels to ensure universal access. The institutions responsible for delivering ECCE include:

(a) Stand-alone Anganwadis: These existing institutions, strengthened and upgraded, will continue to play a major role, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas.
(b) Anganwadis co-located with primary schools: This integration ensures a smooth transition for children from the ECCE stage to the formal schooling system.
(c) Pre-primary schools/sections co-located with existing primary schools: This formal setup within primary schools, covering at least the age of 5 to 6 years (Balvatika), is essential for preparing children for Class 1.
(d) Stand-alone pre-schools: Private, public, and philanthropic stand-alone pre-schools are also recognized as part of the overall delivery ecosystem, provided they adhere to the quality standards set by the policy.

The NEP 2020 aims to ensure universal access to high-quality ECCE across the country, which necessitates the utilization and strengthening of all the mentioned delivery mechanisms.