Himachal introduces bill to regulate early childhood care

The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday brought a bill in the assembly to regulate early childhood care and education centres for children below six years of age.

Introducing the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said the Himachal Pradesh Early Childhood Care and Education Centres (Registration and Regulation) Bill of 2017 was aimed at promoting inclusive, equitable and universal opportunities for optimal and active development of all children below six years of age.

He said it would ensure the right of every child to universal and quality pre-primary education, besides preparation of children above the age of three years for elementary education and provision of early childhood education until they complete the age of six years.

Shandil said that in the state, there were numerous early childhood care and education centres but there was no regulation to monitor them.

"The government embarked upon a mission to regulate the services provided to children of the age group of 0-6 years by a comprehensive legislation," he added.

The bill focuses on making necessary arrangements for providing pre-school education to all children by involving both the organised and un-organised sectors.

The bill is likely to be taken up for debate and passage during the ongoing Budget Session itself that will conclude on April 7.

--IANS

vg/vgu/dg