Lakhipur: The District Administration of Cachar on Monday launched the six-month Certificate Course on Early Childhood Care and Education for Anganwadi Workers, an initiative aligned with NEP 2020 and designed to strengthen early childhood education across Assam.

The inauguration took place at the Multipurpose Hall in Lakhipur, led by Minister Kaushik Rai, who also heads the Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals, and Barak Valley Development departments. The event marks the start of the programme’s expansion across the Barak Valley.

Senior district and block officials were present, including Phylis Hrangchal, ADC (WCD) Cachar; Anjali Kumari, i/c DSWO and Assistant Commissioner; BDO Rohshanur Rahman; SDMO Dr Dibyajyoti Bhattacharjee; ZP Member Seema Deb; Block President O. Biramoni Singha; KRPs, Supervisors and representatives from the Education and Health departments. Anganwadi Workers from various parts of the Lakhipur subdivision attended in large numbers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Rai called the ECCE programme a crucial investment in the state’s preschool system. He said he was pleased to inaugurate the course, developed with support from the Women and Child Development Department and SCERT Assam.

He added that the initiative would enhance the skills and confidence of Anganwadi Workers and ultimately benefit children during the formative 3 to 6 age group. He also praised the Cachar administration for its proactive role in implementing the programme in the region.

The Women and Child Development Department reported that 11,090 Anganwadi Workers across 16 districts have already completed ECCE training. With its Barak Valley expansion, workers in Cachar, Hailakandi and Sirbhumi will now join the structured training programme.

At Lakhipur Centre No. 67, around 194 Anganwadi Workers from the Lakhipur, Banskandi, Binnakandi and Rajabazar ICDS Projects will undergo classroom instruction, internships and practical early learning activities. The curriculum focuses on strengthening preschool readiness through activity-based learning, improved classroom organisation and better early literacy and numeracy practices.

With Monday’s launch, the Cachar administration has opened the way for a wide-ranging capacity-building effort aimed at improving preschool education at the grassroots level.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally