Starting KG sections in govt schools hits anganwadis

Mangaluru: The state government's move to open LKG and UKG sections in all government-run primary schools in Karnataka is reportedly being seen as a cause for the declining numbers in anganwadis and possible deprivation of nutritional food in children that could result in malnutrition. The department of women and child development has expressed its reservations at kindergarten sections being opened in government schools across Dakshina Kannada district.Parents, the department fears, are opting for schools instead of anganwadis.
The issue was discussed at a KDP meeting and the district administration ordered that no LKG, UKG sections should operate in schools when there is an anganwadi nearby. "We are worried that opening KG section in government schools would deprive children from getting nutritional food, which is specially designed to keep malnutrition at bay and helps in healthy growth of children," said Sundar Poojary, deputy director, department of women and child welfare.
According to a recent survey, DK has identified 128 malnourished children.
In DK, there are around 2,102 anganwadis, including 20 which are mini anganwadis that are looked after by one person. The centres operate from 9.30am to 4pm, during which kids from six months to six years are given day care facilities. In a week, they are served steamed split green gram in the morning for three days, rice at noon and vegetable sambar and rice on alternative days. Roasted groundnut with jaggery is served to the children once they wake up from their afternoon nap. "Kids will not get proper nourishment if they are sent to kindergarten schools," said Sundar, adding they will also not get benefits of government schemes like Bhagyalakshmi, meant for children born in BPL families. They are also provided free medical facilities.
There about 62, 242 children between six months and three years, 45,444 children aged between 3 years and six years attending anganwadis across the district. Opening up of KG section in government schools has resulted in a dip in the number of students. Data available with the department points that due to the opening of kindergarten, the anganwadi in Iruvail, Moodbidri taluk, which had 30 children has reduced to 20 and only six children attend anganwadi in Manjanady village. In Kolnadu village, only eight children are regulars out of 28.
The development is similar in Macchina in Belthangady taluk, Baltila, Naringana, Kallige in Bantwal taluk.