M’laya Govt to implement Early Childhood Development Mission

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 17, 2022

The state Cabinet on Monday approved the implementation of the Early Childhood Development Mission (ECDM) to cater to children in over 1,500 villages which are not covered under the ICDS programme of the government. 

“Taking into consideration and the need of early childhood development for the holistic development of the children, the cabinet has approved the ECDM,” Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters after the meeting.

He informed that the mission will be a convergence of the social welfare, health department, education department and other stakeholders for ensuring better health care and education of the children in the state.

According to him, there are over 4 lakh children in the age group of 0-6 years in Meghalaya.

Stating that over 1,500 villages are not covered under the ICDS programme, Rymbui said only 4,000 plus villages are being covered under the programme. 

“With the implementation of this mission, we hope we will be able to cater to the need of the children who needs the care at the earlly stage,” he added.

When asked, the education minister said that financial implication for implementation of the mission is around Rs 350 crore. He however said that everything will be finalized once MoU is signed with the agency who will provide the fund for implementation of the mission in the state.