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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Child marriage cases in Noida fall from 16 to 6 in a yr
Noida: Six child marriages were stopped in the city in the last fiscal year, compared to 16 cases in the one preceding it. Groups working for children's welfare see this as signs of change in society. The state's high school droput rate for girls (15%), however, shows teenaged girls remain vulnerable to being married off early under pressure from families. Childline teams, which stopped the six marriages, said three were almost at the stage of rituals being performed when they intervened. Among them was a 15-year-old from Tigri village in Greater Noida West, rescued last Nov after a local playschool teacher alerted volunteers. In Dec 2024, two more 17-year-olds were rescued in Greater Noida's Rabupura and Jarcha. Adnan Usmani, coordinator of Childline's Noida unit, said fewer child marriages were reported last year, which indicated that fewer families were marrying off their children young in the city. "Child marriage has different causes in different places, but there are often commonalities linked to poverty and limited opportunities for girls," he said. "Gender inequality, stereotypes, weak laws, the fear of pregnancy outside of marriage and misinformation also contribute." Childline, which works for children in distress, ran a month-long awareness drive at schools, temples and marriage halls in May where they shared information on the child helpline number—1098—and encouraged people to report child marriages. "Community leaders, schools and even teenagers can play a crucial role in reporting underage brides," volunteer Yuvraj said. According to social activists, ending child marriage was possible only with income and economic interventions. "Child marriage cases are largely seen among economically poorer families that have come to the city for work. Once these families are stopped, they take the children back to their native towns, like Bihar, Jharkhand or Chhattisgarh, and marry the girls off. So, while statistics may show a reduction in child marriage for Noida, it may not necessarily have been stopped," Satya Prakash, CEO of FXB India Suraksha, told TOI. The NGO has been working for child welfare for the last 15 years. To prevent child marriages, the Directorate of Women and Child Development mandates that every intercepted child marriage case must be followed up on for at least three months. According to activists, one of the real indicators of a dip in child marriages is school enrolment or dropout rate. "Govts should analyse the dropout rates to get a complete picture. Often, girls are pulled out of school and forced into marriage once they cross the age of 15," Prakash said. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2024, showed that while only 3.9% of children aged 6-14 were out of school in 2024, it went up to 4.6% for the 7-16 age group and 13% for the 15-16 category. The dropout rate was especially high among girls, reaching 15%, compared to 10.7% for boys. In March 2024, another study to identify children at risk of child marriage, undertaken on the directions of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPR), found UP has more than 5 lakh vulnerable children, mostly girls, who were school dropouts or had been irregular or absent from school for long without any intimation to authorities. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, marrying girls below 18 years and boys below 21 years is illegal. Those who perform, abet or promote such marriages can face up to two years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, unless they can prove they believed the marriage did not involve minors.
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
UP's project for revamping govt schools highlighted at NDA CMs' conclave
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted the achievements of the state's flagship 'Project Alankaar' for revamping government schools at the NDA Chief Ministers' conclave in Delhi, an official statement said. The initiative received widespread appreciation at the conclave chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many of the chief ministers expressed interest in replicating it in their states, the statement said. Launched on October 1, 2021, Project Alankaar aims to transform infrastructure and learning environments in 2,441 government secondary schools across Uttar Pradesh by achieving 100 per cent compliance with 35 infrastructure and facility benchmarks. The project has equipped schools with modern amenities such as new classrooms, science labs, libraries, computer labs and smart classrooms, creating an inclusive and conducive learning environment, the statement said. Funding for Project Alankaar comes from the state government, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Gram Panchayats, urban local bodies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions, and voluntary donations. The project's implementation is monitored by district-level committees led by district magistrates and overseen by the director of education. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlighted the project's impact, noting increased student enrolment and attendance. Enrolment in government secondary schools rose by 23 per cent between 2022-23 and 2024-25, attendance in primary schools (Classes 15) grew by 11.5 per cent from 2010 to 2024, and upper primary attendance (Classes 68) increased by 9.6 per cent from 2018 to 2024 -- the highest in the country. Library usage surged by 55.2 per cent, and access to girls' toilets improved by 54.4 per cent, the statement said. Chief Minister Model Schools (pre-primary to Class 12) and Chief Minister Abhyudaya Schools (pre-primary to Class 8) are also being developed under the project, including playgrounds, verandahs, electricity and internet connections, boundary walls, main gates, green spaces, storage rooms, staff rooms, stages, guard rooms, and deep freezers for mid-day meals. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
At NDA CMs' meet, Yogi shines a spotlight on Project Alankaar
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted the achievements of the Uttar Pradesh government's flagship Project Alankaar during the NDA Chief Ministers' conclave which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. Project Alankaar was launched to 'transform' the infrastructure and learning environment in government secondary schools across Uttar Pradesh. The meeting, which focused on sharing the best practices in governance, saw Project Alankar emerge as an example of effective educational reform, the state government said. Launched on October 1, 2021, the project seeks to achieve 100% compliance with 35 infrastructure and facility benchmarks in 2,441 government secondary schools across the state. Under the initiative, schools are equipped with essential and modern facilities such as newly constructed classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, smart classrooms, clean drinking water, and hygienic toilets—creating a conducive and inclusive environment for learning. Funding for the Project Alankaar comes from various sources, including the state government, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, gram panchayats, urban local bodies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions and voluntary donations. The implementation is monitored by district-level committees chaired by the District Magistrate and overseen by the Director of Education at the state level. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2024, reportedly stated that the project is encouraging children to attend and actively participate in learning. The government claims that enrollment in secondary schools increased by 23% between the sessions 2022-23 and 2024-25. Library usage in schools surged by 55.2% and access to girls' toilet facilities improved by 54.4%.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Project Alankar, which transformed UP schools, gets thumbs up in meeting chaired by PM Modi
Lucknow: UP's flagship programme, Project Alankar, which ensured the turnaround of govt-run schools and educational institutes in the state, received widespread appreciation from chief ministers of NDA-ruled states in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Sunday. Several states approached the UP CM to understand the project closely and showed an inclination to replicate the model. Assistance was sought for the team of senior officials who are expected to visit the state to assess the situation on the ground. Project Alankar was launched to transform the infrastructure and learning environment in state-run secondary schools across UP. The meeting, focused on sharing best practices in governance, saw Project Alankar emerge as a standout example of effective educational reform. Launched on Oct 1, 2021, the project seeks to achieve 100% compliance with 35 infrastructure and facility benchmarks in 2,441 govt secondary schools across the state. Under this initiative, schools are equipped with essential and modern facilities such as newly constructed classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, computer labs, smart classrooms, clean drinking water, and hygienic toilets—creating a conducive and inclusive environment for learning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Funding for Project Alankar comes from various sources, including the state govt, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Gram Panchayats, urban local bodies, company CSR contributions, and voluntary donations. The implementation is closely monitored by district-level committees chaired by the district magistrate and overseen by the education director at the state level. Significant improvement was also recorded in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, which stated, "Clearly, something is changing in the schools of Uttar Pradesh, which is encouraging children to attend and actively participate in learning." The report showed increased enrolment in govt secondary schools by 23% between 2022-23 and 2024-25. Attendance in primary schools, from classes 1–5, rose by 11.5% from 2010 to 2024, while that in upper primary schools, from classes 6 to 8, grew by 9.6% from 2018 to 2024 (the highest in the country). Further, the use of libraries in schools surged by 55.2%, and access to girls' toilet facilities improved by 54.4%. As part of Project Alankar, Chief Minister Model Schools (pre-primary to Class 12) and Chief Minister Abhyudaya Schools (pre-primary to Class 8) are also being developed. These schools have state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated buildings for young children, STEM laboratories, computer labs, smart classrooms, playgrounds, mini stadiums, solar panels, and water conservation units. Each Abhyudaya School, designed to accommodate 450 students, was allocated Rs 1.42 crore for development, said a govt spokesperson. The scheme also includes constructing, renovating, and upgrading infrastructure in 11 Sanskrit schools located across 7 districts of UP. For the comprehensive rejuvenation of 141 Sanskrit schools, the Yogi govt sanctioned Rs 14.94 crore.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
From Anganwadi to Balavatika: Inside UP's game-changing early education reform
Archana, a single mother from a village near Prayagraj, knows education is the key to a better future. But when her son started Grade 1 in a government school, he struggled — his teacher said he should have attended preschool first. Now, Archana worries for her three-year-old daughter at the local Anganwadi. Will it prepare her for school? With no government preschool nearby and private options costing over ₹10,000 a year — far beyond her ₹40,000 income — she faces an impossible choice between securing her child's future and meeting daily needs. For countless parents like Archana, this is the reality. And for their children, the crucial early years — when 90% of brain development takes place — pass by without structured learning. The fallout is stark. According to ASER 2019, 86% of four-year-olds couldn't complete a basic listening comprehension task, 77% struggled to count visible objects, and 69% failed to solve a simple four-piece puzzle. These skills are the building blocks of learning. Without them, children enter school unprepared — unable to 'learn to read,' and later, 'read to learn.' For decades, early childhood education remained informal and under-prioritised. In 1950-51, India had only 303 pre-primary schools with just three lakh students. Literacy among five-year-olds stood at a mere 34.4% by 1971. The launch of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1975 expanded Anganwadis — growing from 2.9 lakh in 2001 to over 13.9 lakh in 2021 — offering nutrition, health, and some early learning. But with workers stretched thin, preschool instruction averaged only 38 minutes a day, far short of the recommended two hours. As a result, enrolment in Anganwadi preschools declined from 3.39 crore in 2008 to just 2 crore in 2021. The core issue wasn't access, but quality. And quality early education is one of the most powerful equalisers in society. Global research shows that children who attend quality preschools are four times more likely to earn higher incomes and three times more likely to own a home. Yet, in India, pre-primary education — meant to be a universal right — had become a privilege. For millions, the lottery of birth still determined access to this vital foundation. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions learners who are both anchored in Indian values and equipped with the skills to navigate a rapidly evolving, digital world. Central to this transformation is the recognition that a strong foundation must be laid early. The policy underscores that quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) is not just a preparatory stage — it is the very cornerstone of lifelong learning and development. To ensure that every child enters Grade 1 school-ready, the NEP makes a clarion call for universal access to quality ECCE by 2030. It recommends integrating Anganwadi centres with primary schools and deploying trained early childhood educators — key steps toward creating a seamless continuum of learning from the early years onward. States like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have begun aligning with this vision, implementing structured early learning programs, training Anganwadi workers, and integrating pre-primary sections in government schools. But Uttar Pradesh has gone a step further — translating intent into action. A potential game-changer? Uttar Pradesh has launched two bold reforms. First, it converted all Anganwadis within school campuses into Balavatikas — structured pre-primary sections. Second, it sanctioned the deployment of 10,000 dedicated Early Childhood Education (ECE) educators to these Balavatikas. These trained professionals will focus exclusively on preparing children aged 5–6 for school, equipped with specialised training and teaching-learning resources. No longer will children stumble into Grade 1 without the foundational skills they need to succeed. This could be a game-changer. For millions of children, it means not just growth, but genuine learning. At the same time, it eases the burden on the State's two lakh Anganwadi workers — allowing them to focus fully on health, nutrition, and maternal care without being stretched across competing responsibilities. The ripple effects go beyond classrooms. These 10,000 teaching positions offer meaningful employment — primarily to women — generating both economic opportunity and community leadership. Moreover, by ensuring safe, high-quality early education, it empowers countless mothers to pursue jobs, continue their education, or build livelihoods, secure in the knowledge that their children are in capable hands. When a mother knows her child is learning in a nurturing environment, she doesn't just gain peace of mind — she gains the freedom to shape her own future, uplifting her family and contributing to a more prosperous society. The opportunity to send their children to free, high-quality early education, lifts a massive financial weight off parents. Nearly half of India's children under five are enrolled in private preschools, costing families an average of ₹12,834 per child annually, which is an average family's two-month worth of earnings — an impossible trade-off between their child's future and their daily survival. For women like Archana, these changes are more than just policy shifts; they are lifelines. Archana has often felt like she's failing her children. But now, with trained ECE educators in Balavatikas, she finally has an alternative she can trust. Her children, like so many others, will no longer be left behind simply because of where they were born (Rita Bahuguna Joshi is a former Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and former Minister of Women Welfare, Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh
