The district has 2,905 anganwadi centres, of which only 2,224 have permanent structures
Mysuru: Nearly 30% of anganwadi centres in Mysuru district are functioning without their own buildings. Around 1.3 lakh children below six years are enrolled in these centres. Out of 2,905 anganwadi centres, only 2,224 have permanent structures; the remaining centres are running in rented buildings, gram panchayat buildings, community halls and some open spaces in villages. Among the over 1.3 lakh children dependent upon anganwadi centres, 10,734 are newborns from 0 to 6 months, 75,536 are children below 3 years old and 47,796 are children between 3 and 6 years.
Deputy director of women and children welfare Nagaraju said the district administration has been making all its efforts to identify land for construction of permanent structures for anganwadi centres that lack their own buildings. “Once the land is sanctioned, the department will initiate measures for construction,” he said. “As anganwadi centres play a crucial role in early childhood education and even help in children’s nutritional care, govt must initiate all measures to strengthen these centres besides increasing enrolment with the introduction of an LKG-and-UKG-like pre-education system in such centres,” said Alagaudu Shivakumar, social activist.
These centres play a crucial role in early childhood education for children below six years, besides providing nutrition, supporting immunisation and monitoring health. Anganwadis also provide nutritional support to pregnant women, contributing to efforts to prevent infant and maternal mortality. The shortage of permanent buildings remains a concern for the delivery of these essential services for people. As there is a lack of toilets, proper playgrounds and kitchens in rented anganwadi centres, children enrolled here are learning in congested places. It has also directed all taluk administrations and local authorities to identify the land and hand it over to the department of women and children welfare for construction the centres.