Sumana Samanta1, Subhra Samujjwal Basu2, Dibakar Haldar3, Aditya Prasad Sarkar3, Asit Baran Saren3, Gautam Narayan Sarkar4. 1. Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Community Medicine, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India. 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India. 4. Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early childhood education (ECE) is an important service provided by Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). It is largely responsible for developing school readiness in children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess ECE component of ICDS services through measurement of school readiness and find out other correlates. METHODS: A cross-sectional evaluation study was carried out among Anganwadi centers (AWCs) under Bankura Municipality, West Bengal, India from July to November 2015. AWCs were selected by 30 cluster sampling. From each selected center Anganwadi worker (AWW), 7 randomly selected children of 5 years of age and their caregivers were included in the study. Data were collected by assessment of children, interview of AWWs and caregivers of children, observation of ECE activity and record review using ECE Program Evaluation Package developed by World Bank and predesigned schedule. Mean, standard deviation, proportions were estimated for description and correlation, unpaired t-test, analysis of one-way variance, multivariable linear regression were performed to find out correlates of school readiness using SPSS 22.0 version. RESULTS: Average duration of ECE activity was 66.0 min/day which was far less than the norm. Overall average score of school readiness of 210 children was 14.0 out of 40. Inadequate physical facility, poor classroom performance acted as deterrents for school readiness. Help in the study at home was revealed to be a determinant of school readiness. CONCLUSION: For the preparation of formal schooling of children most important needs of the hour are physical facility of AWCs, supportive supervision of AWWs, and creation of congenial environment at home.
BACKGROUND: Early childhood education (ECE) is an important service provided by Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). It is largely responsible for developing school readiness in children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess ECE component of ICDS services through measurement of school readiness and find out other correlates. METHODS: A cross-sectional evaluation study was carried out among Anganwadi centers (AWCs) under Bankura Municipality, West Bengal, India from July to November 2015. AWCs were selected by 30 cluster sampling. From each selected center Anganwadi worker (AWW), 7 randomly selected children of 5 years of age and their caregivers were included in the study. Data were collected by assessment of children, interview of AWWs and caregivers of children, observation of ECE activity and record review using ECE Program Evaluation Package developed by World Bank and predesigned schedule. Mean, standard deviation, proportions were estimated for description and correlation, unpaired t-test, analysis of one-way variance, multivariable linear regression were performed to find out correlates of school readiness using SPSS 22.0 version. RESULTS: Average duration of ECE activity was 66.0 min/day which was far less than the norm. Overall average score of school readiness of 210 children was 14.0 out of 40. Inadequate physical facility, poor classroom performance acted as deterrents for school readiness. Help in the study at home was revealed to be a determinant of school readiness. CONCLUSION: For the preparation of formal schooling of children most important needs of the hour are physical facility of AWCs, supportive supervision of AWWs, and creation of congenial environment at home.