In a sweeping reform set to reshape India’s education landscape, the Central government has unveiled new guidelines that bring Anganwadi centres and primary schools under one roof, while pushing artificial intelligence and broadband access as key enablers of learning.

Announcing the initiative at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the move will bridge the gap between early childhood care and formal schooling, ensuring children transition seamlessly from pre-school to the classroom. Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, present at the launch, called it a “transformational step” aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Developed India.”

Linking care, nutrition, and learning

The guidelines combine education, health, and nutrition into a single framework, acknowledging that the foundation for lifelong learning begins well before a child enters school. Officials said the integrated model will not only reduce dropout rates but also raise learning outcomes, particularly at the critical foundational stage.

“Future generations cannot be secured unless we take care of pregnant mothers, newborns, and pre-school children,” Annapurna Devi said, proposing a special learning module to help Anganwadi workers—many of whom have studied only till class 12—pursue further education.

Digital leap for rural classrooms

Technology is set to be the backbone of the initiative. Annapurna Devi urged the adoption of artificial intelligence tools to help Anganwadi workers teach young children in Indian languages, making lessons more interactive and accessible.

The education ministry has also announced plans to expand broadband connectivity to nearly two lakh private and government high schools over the next three years, ensuring rural and semi-urban classrooms gain access to resources previously limited to cities.

Building on grassroots strength

Recent studies by ASER and PARAKH have revealed a striking trend—rural children outperforming their urban peers in certain learning areas. Officials credit this to the groundwork laid by Anganwadi workers, whose role as the first teachers in villages has been pivotal.

The numbers, however, are daunting. Nearly 15 crore children in India are in the pre-school and early primary years. Their health and education are at the heart of flagship programmes like Nipun Bharat and the national vision of Developed India 2047.

By aligning Anganwadis with schools, the government is attempting to weave early care, nutrition, and education into a unified system—one that prepares children not just to enter school, but to thrive in it.