India's Growth and Early Learning Investment
India's future growth and competitiveness heavily depend on investing in early childhood education, which significantly impacts the nation's long-term productivity and economic growth. With over 250 million children under 10, and 137 million youth set to enter the workforce by 2047, early learning is crucial for a prosperous future, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
- Quality early learning enhances cognition by approximately 1.9 points, according to research (Vellore, 2024).
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 prioritizes universal quality ECE and FLN by Grade 3.
- Strengthened Anganwadis, Balvatikas, and early primary grades are critical components.
Ages 3–5: Strengthening Anganwadis
- Anganwadi centres serve as the world's largest publicly funded early childhood system.
- Quality improvements can lead to 3–19 point IQ gains in young children (Vellore study, 2024).
- Adding dedicated educators can double learning time and improve outcomes.
- 12 lakh Anganwadi Centres need additional educators, creating potential jobs for women.
Ages 5–6: Expanding Balvatikas
- A steep drop in enrollment is observed as children age, impacting school readiness.
- Balvatika sections can improve readiness for formal schooling.
- Investments in ECE educators in states like Tamil Nadu have driven learning gains.
- States like Uttar Pradesh and Odisha are actively hiring educators and expanding pre-primary education.
Ages 6–10: Accelerating Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
- FLN is crucial between ages 6 and 7 as children enter Grade 1.
- ASER 2024 and NAS 2024 assessments show progress under NIPUN Bharat.
- States like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have implemented successful policy innovations.
- Continued investments in teacher support and advanced materials are essential.
Conclusion
India faces a historic opportunity to enhance its economic and social potential by investing in a seamless continuum of strong Anganwadis, Balvatikas with dedicated educators, and foundational learning. The vision of Viksit Bharat requires bold actions and collective commitment to unlock the nation's full potential.
