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This initiative aims to expand co-location to optimise resource use, enhance school readiness among children, and improve the convergence of education and nutrition services.
The guidelines emphasise safety and security, recommending separate entry and exit gates for AWCs within school premises. (Representational/File)
On Wednesday, the Central Government issued guidelines for co-locating Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) with primary schools, detailing the required infrastructure and operational criteria for effective implementation. India has over 14.02 lakh Anganwadi Centres, of which 2.9 lakh are already co-located with schools. This initiative aims to expand co-location to optimise resource use, enhance school readiness among children, and improve the convergence of education and nutrition services, reported ANI.
The guidelines, jointly prepared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Department of School Education and Literacy, offer a clear framework outlining the models, norms, and roles and responsibilities for implementing co-located facilities nationwide. States and Union Territories (UTs) are advised to prioritize AWCs without their own buildings, those operating from rented premises, or those with inadequate facilities. Special attention should be given to centres serving marginalised communities such as economically weaker sections, tribal populations, and migrant families.
To ensure accessibility, the guidelines recommend a maximum travel distance of up to 500 meters in urban areas and up to 1 kilometre in rural areas between the original AWC and the school, although States and UTs have the flexibility to decide based on local geography and feasibility. Selected schools must have adequate indoor space and additional facilities like outdoor play areas, child-friendly toilets, safe drinking water, a designated kitchen for hot meals, and space for a Poshan Vatika (nutrition garden) to support early childhood care and development, the ANI report added.
The guidelines emphasise safety and security, recommending separate entry and exit gates for AWCs within school premises. If separate gates are not feasible, streamlined and safe access for all beneficiaries — including pregnant women and lactating mothers — must be ensured. States and UTs should not co-locate more than two AWCs within a single primary school, depending on space availability. If accommodating both is not possible, the nearest AWC should be co-located, while the remaining centres can be mapped to the school under an alternative model.
If physical co-location is not feasible, AWCs should be mapped to the nearest school with Grade 1 to ensure a smooth transition for children moving from AWCs to formal schooling. States and UTs are directed to rationalize data related to AWCs, including block- and district-wise details of functional centres and the status of their buildings — whether government-owned, community-based, or rented. Using this information, States can identify centres already co-located and those requiring relocation.
The guidelines also encourage States and UTs to use the Gati Shakti portal for mapping AWCs with nearby schools and planning future expansions. These measures will be integrated with the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiatives, aligning efforts to improve early childhood care and nutrition services. By strengthening infrastructure and integrating services, the Centre aims to streamline early childhood education and nutrition, ensuring a better start for millions of children across the country.
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