ICDS Scheme Features and Technological Upgradation of Anganwadis

ICDS Scheme Features and Technological Upgradation of Anganwadis

Question: Anganwadi centres across the nation will soon go hi-tech. Discuss the main features of the Integrated Child Development Scheme and the initiative behind going hi-tech.

Technological Upgradation

• Anganwadi centres across the nation will go hi-tech with government equipping them with tablet PC devices installed with customised software for constant monitoring of nutrition supply to malnourished children

• Software will enable anganwadi workers for uploading data such as dietary intake, health updates of children and daily supply of food grains and nutritional supplements daily

ICDS: Features

• Move will also help the government to access the impact of the flagship programme for supplementary nutrition- Integrated Child Development Scheme
• It will monitor and supervise as well as close the gap between recommended diet and daily intake on an average basis

• Angandwadi centres will be equipped with software enabled tablet devices for uploading data when required. This will record the nutrition supply levels of children and directly upload it

• The implementation of ICDS will be monitored as data on nutrition supply will be received from states and UTs through periodic reports

• Government has also established Central Monitoring Units in 2007 for monitoring and evaluation

• ICDS provides supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, nutrition and health education and check ups for economically underprivileged sections via a network of 13.42 lakh AWCs

• ICDS is one of the biggest and most unique programmes for early childhood development

• It is a commitment to India’s welfare by breaking the cycle of poverty, malnutrition and lack of education

Objectives

This ICDS scheme was launched with the following objectives:

• Improving the nutritional health status of children in the age of 0 to 6 years

• Laying the foundation for effective psychological, social and physical development

• Reduction of the incidence of mortality, morbidity, school dropout and malnutrition

• Achieving effective policy coordination and implementation amongst numerous departments to promote child development

• Enhancing capability of the mother to study normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education

Services:

ICDS focuses on provision of the following services:

• Supplementary nutrition
• Immunisation
• Health check up
• Referral services
• Pre-School, Non-Formal education
• Nutrition and health education



• Services have been provided to 1045.08 lakh beneficiaries from which 849.4 lakh are children under 6

• Around 370.7 lakh children between the age of 3 to 6 years have been provided pre school education through this scheme

• ICDS was launched in October 1975