State Govt. prioritises health, nutrition and education for young learners

· Advances early childhood care with Saksham Anganwadi Centres

· Promotes kitchen gardens to improve Mid-Day Meals, ensures nutritious meals for over five lakh school students

Shimla, March 01, 2026: Under the visionary leadership of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the present state government has taken determined steps to strengthen the foundations of early childhood care and the development of children. With a clear focus on nutrition, quality education and inclusive growth, the government is committed to ensuring that every child in Himachal Pradesh receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive and succeed.

The present state government has placed child nutrition and early development at the centre of its governance agenda. Recognising that balanced and nutritious food is essential for both physical growth and mental well-being, the government has intensified efforts to secure the health and future of Himachal’s youngest citizens.

Across the state, 18,925 Anganwadi Centres are serving as pillars of community care, catering to the nutritional and early educational needs of children. Every month, the growth of children up to six years of age is carefully monitored on key physical and developmental parameters, ensuring that no child is left behind. During the current financial year alone, Rs. 113 crore has been spent under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, while Rs. 1516.09 lakh has been utilised under the Special Nutrition Programme which is a clear reflection of the government’s unwavering commitment.

In a significant step towards holistic child development, the government has declared all Anganwadi Centres as “Anganwadi Co-Schools”. This progressive move aims to integrate early childhood care with formal schooling, strengthening the foundation of learning. A state-level joint committee, chaired by the Secretary (Education), has been constituted to effectively implement guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Education for co-locating Anganwadi Centres with schools.

Further strengthening this framework, 1,030 Saksham Anganwadi Centres have been approved in the state, including 100 in Chamba district alone. The process of upgrading centres is underway, supported by comprehensive capacity building. District Programme Officers, Child Development Project Officers and Supervisors have been trained as State-Level Master Trainers. They, in turn, will train Anganwadi Workers across the state, ensuring improved service delivery at the grassroots level.