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Lack of Basic Facilities in Children’s First Schooling Step, Parents Prefer Private Nurseries
📍 Ahmedabad | April 7, 2025
The condition of Anganwadi centers, meant to support early childhood development before primary education, is a growing concern in Gujarat. Out of the state’s 53,050 Anganwadi centers, 719 centers lack drinking water, and 1,711 centers do not have toilet facilities.
Under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Anganwadi workers are responsible for providing nutritious meals to children. However, in many cases, this scheme exists only on paper. Due to pending payments from the government for over eight months, several workers are providing meals out of their own pocket.
⚠️ Systemic Shortcomings:
- Workers are not receiving minimum wages
- Supervisor positions are vacant
- Gratuity payments are still pending despite court orders
- Outdated government-issued mobile phones are hampering work efficiency
📊 Current Status of Anganwadi Centers in Gujarat
| Facility | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Anganwadi centers | 53,050 |
| Drinking water through pipeline | 48,166 |
| Drinking water availability | 52,331 |
| Functional toilets | 51,339 |
| Functional kitchens | 49,029 |
| Permanent electricity connections | 52,612 |
| Solar-powered Anganwadi centers | 2,254 |
🔍 Comparison with Other States
While only 2,254 Anganwadi centers in Gujarat operate on solar power, Maharashtra has 26,840 solar-powered centers out of 1.10 lakh Anganwadis. States like Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, and Odisha also perform better than Gujarat in terms of basic infrastructure.
🧾 Grant Scam in Banaskantha
In Banaskantha district, ₹2 crore was allotted to 2,344 Anganwadi centers for school repairs. However, there are allegations of corruption and misuse of funds, with many centers not receiving any repair work.
📌 Conclusion
Anganwadi centers, intended to shape the foundation of children’s futures, are facing severe shortages of basic amenities. As a result, many parents are opting for private nurseries or pre-schools, turning away from government-run centers.
