Punjab government issues new guidelines for playway schools

Punjab News: The Punjab Government has decided to implement the recommendations of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Council across the state. This announcement was made by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, during a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, today.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that with the implementation of these recommendations, it has become mandatory for private playway schools operating in the state to register. She stated that it is now mandatory for playway schools to register with the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development within six months. She further added that only registered playway schools will now be permitted to offer their services in the state.

Dr. Baljit Kaur shared that an online system is being established to facilitate the registration of playway schools. This will ensure that no institution faces any difficulties and the registration process can be completed in a timely and transparent manner.

The Cabinet Minister further stated that all playway schools in the state will be monitored by the State-level ECCE Council, which will be led by the Minister of the Department.

She stated that the ECCE Council has developed the Navchetna curriculum for children aged 0 to 3 years and the Aadharshila curriculum for children aged 3 to 6 years.

She also mentioned that pre-primary schools falling under the ambit of the RTE Act 2009 are also required to complete this registration.

The Minister stated that books and pencils will not be used for teaching children in playway schools. Instead, they will be taught through play-based methods to foster their early childhood development, enhancing both their physical and mental growth. She added that parents-teachers WhatsApp groups will be created to ensure proper attention to the health of the children.

She stated that all playway schools must have adequate space for play area and install CCTV cameras to ensure the proper monitoring of children. She appealed to parents to verify whether the school is registered before enrolling their children.

She further mentioned that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is actively working to bring significant improvements in the physical and mental development of children in playway schools.