– Mita Mukherjee

Nearly 25 lakh persons working as pre-primary facilitators and caregivers in the country will be offered training to equip them with the skills needed to promote growth and development of young children as standards prescribed in NEP 2020.

Starting in February 2025, the phase-1 of the training will be the first government-certified skill training programme for pre-primary facilitators and caregivers in India.

The training will be conducted under the supervision and guidance of Management and Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), an authorised body under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), of Government of India in collaboration with an organisation of private schools. The certification will be awarded by the MEPSC.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MEPSC and an organisation of private schools – Private Schools and Children’s Welfare Association (PSACWA) at a meeting held recently in Agra.

“This initiative marks the dawn of a new era for Early Childhood Education in India, paving the way for a skilled, empowered, and nationally certified workforce that will shape the future of millions of young learners,” said an MEPSC official who attended the meeting. 

Preschool education and childcare in India have undergone significant transformations over the past few years driven by changes in policies following implementation of NEP 2020 along with other factors like changes in expectations of parents and advancement of technologies.

One of the significant challenges faced by the preschool education sector to fulfill the requirements of NEP 2020 is lack of qualified persons.

“This initiative to conduct the training programme aligns with the transformative goals outlined in the NEP 2020, which emphasises the importance of high-quality, inclusive, and equitable early childhood education to nurture young minds during their formative years,” Syed Shamael Ahmed, national president of PSACWA, told EducationWorld after the meet.

Vikash Vaibhav, IPS, IG, government of Bihar, who was the chief guest of the programme, lent his support to this national cause.

This is the first government-certified skill training programme for pre-primary facilitators and caregivers in India and also a first-of-its-kind initiative led by an organisation of private schools, he said.

“This programme is not just a milestone for PSACWA but a testament to our commitment to strengthening the nation by investing in its youngest citizens. Together with our partners, we are committed to reaching every corner of the country and creating a cadre of skilled professionals ready to shape India’s future,” said Ahmed

NEP 2020 emphasises the critical role of early childhood care and education (ECCE) as the foundation for lifelong learning and development. This new initiative will fulfill that vision by equipping facilitators and caregivers with globally benchmarked skills, thereby ensuring that every child in India receives quality early education, he said.

Nalanda Learning Systems, an EduTech company specialising in preschool education, teacher training, and online learning platforms is a partner in this initiative and it will play a major role in scaling this programme to reach 25 lakh facilitators and caregivers in the first phase, Ahmed added.

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