Overview
- Murty’s private member’s resolution asks the government to add a new Article 21B to guarantee free, compulsory early childhood care and education for ages 3–6, extending the right to education from 6–14 to 3–14.
- The proposal invokes NEP 2020 and notes research that roughly 85% of brain development occurs by age six as the policy rationale.
- Lawmakers from multiple parties expressed support while pointing to delivery gaps in cities, including a cited Rs 3,000 monthly rent grant for Anganwadi centers in Pune.
- MPs highlighted low Anganwadi preschool attendance and the rapid rise of private play schools, referencing an NFHS figure of about 49% non-attendance and a market estimated above Rs 25,000 crore.
- Participants called for better training, uniform standards, and improved pay for Anganwadi workers, as the House left the debate inconclusive to be taken up in a future private members’ business slot.