Page 3 - Final Lesson-4.pmd

ECCE Policies, Schemes and Programmes in India

4.2.3 The National Policy for Children (NPC), 2013
The Government of India adopted the first National Policy for Children (NPC)
in 1974 asone of the major initiativesfor the wellbeing of children. The policy Notes
declared children as, “supremely important asset” for the nation. The NPC, 1974
was revised in 2013, reaffirming commitment to healthy development and
protection of all children. NPC, 2013 identifies survival, health, nutrition,
development, education, protection and participation as the undeniable right of
every child and the key priority. The policy also directs states to take all necessary
measures to provide universal and equitable access to ECCE for optimal
development of all children.

4.2.4 National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy, 2013
The Government of India approved the
National Early Childhood Care and
Education (ECCE) Policy in 2013. The
Policy framework also includes the National
ECCE Curriculum Framework and Quality
Standards for ECCE.
The Policy commits to universal access to
quality early childhood education to all
children under six years of age. The vision
of the policy is to,“achieve holistic
development and active learning capacity of
all children below six years of age by
promoting free, universal, inclusive,
equitable, joyful and contextualised
opportunities for laying foundation and
attaining full potential.”

Access with equity and inclusion, improving quality, strengthening capacity,
research and documentation and advocacy and awareness generation are the key
areas of the policy.
The policy recognizes that young children are best cared for in their family
environment and thus strengthening family capabilities to care for and protect
the child will receive the highest priority.

4.2.5 The National Health Mission (NHM)

The National Health Mission was launched in 2013.
The NHM envisages achievement of universal access
to equitable, affordable and quality health care services
that are accountable and responsive to people’s

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 49