<p>Tumakuru: With mounting unemployment and limited job opportunities locally, a growing number of highly educated women are now applying for posts as anganwadi workers and assistants. Over 400 women with graduate, postgraduate, DEd, and BEd qualifications have already been selected for these roles in the district.</p><p>Tumakuru district has 4,199 anganwadis, with 3,982 anganwadi workers currently serving in these centres. Among them, 52 hold postgraduate degrees, 25 have completed BEd, and 316 are graduates.</p><p>Similarly, of the 3,400 anganwadi helpers employed across the district, three hold postgraduate degrees, and 60 are graduates.</p><p>According to sources, many of these women with good academic degrees are increasingly turning towards anganwadi roles, choosing to serve as workers and helpers, as they are unable to find suitable employment.</p><p>Previously, the minimum educational qualification for anganwadi workers was SSLC (Class 10), and for helpers it was Class 4. However, from last year, PUC (Class 12) has been made mandatory for workers, and SSLC for helpers. The shift in eligibility comes as the state government prepares to introduce pre-primary education (LKG and UKG) in anganwadis. Pilot projects began last year in select centres in Bengaluru, and plans are now underway to expand the initiative statewide.</p><p><strong>Better education at grassroots</strong></p><p>Officials from the Women and Child Development Department expressed optimism, stating that the presence of graduates and postgraduates in anganwadis will enhance the quality of early childhood education, ensuring that children receive a strong educational foundation from the very beginning.</p><p>“From the next academic year, there are plans to introduce LKG and UKG classes in 350 anganwadis across the district. Preparations are underway to strengthen pre-primary education infrastructure and curriculum. Having graduate, postgraduate and BEd anganwadi workers and helpers will help in designing and implementing child-friendly learning programmes," said Deputy Director of Women & Child Welfare Deptartment Chetankumar</p><p>"Anganwadis are the first step in a child’s learning journey. With better-qualified staff, children will now receive more structured and quality education," a senior official from the department added.</p><p><strong>Local factors</strong></p><p>According to department sources, many educated women prefer not to relocate for jobs due to personal or family reasons. Others, despite having higher qualifications, lack access to suitable employment in their fields, leading them to apply for anganwadi posts as a temporary or alternative career path. Even those studying for competitive exams or those who have not received satisfactory results in competitive exams are applying for the posts.</p><p>Officials believe this shift is a significant indicator of the current employment landscape, and at the same time, an opportunity to strengthen grassroots education with the help of better-qualified personnel.</p>
<p>Tumakuru: With mounting unemployment and limited job opportunities locally, a growing number of highly educated women are now applying for posts as anganwadi workers and assistants. Over 400 women with graduate, postgraduate, DEd, and BEd qualifications have already been selected for these roles in the district.</p><p>Tumakuru district has 4,199 anganwadis, with 3,982 anganwadi workers currently serving in these centres. Among them, 52 hold postgraduate degrees, 25 have completed BEd, and 316 are graduates.</p><p>Similarly, of the 3,400 anganwadi helpers employed across the district, three hold postgraduate degrees, and 60 are graduates.</p><p>According to sources, many of these women with good academic degrees are increasingly turning towards anganwadi roles, choosing to serve as workers and helpers, as they are unable to find suitable employment.</p><p>Previously, the minimum educational qualification for anganwadi workers was SSLC (Class 10), and for helpers it was Class 4. However, from last year, PUC (Class 12) has been made mandatory for workers, and SSLC for helpers. The shift in eligibility comes as the state government prepares to introduce pre-primary education (LKG and UKG) in anganwadis. Pilot projects began last year in select centres in Bengaluru, and plans are now underway to expand the initiative statewide.</p><p><strong>Better education at grassroots</strong></p><p>Officials from the Women and Child Development Department expressed optimism, stating that the presence of graduates and postgraduates in anganwadis will enhance the quality of early childhood education, ensuring that children receive a strong educational foundation from the very beginning.</p><p>“From the next academic year, there are plans to introduce LKG and UKG classes in 350 anganwadis across the district. Preparations are underway to strengthen pre-primary education infrastructure and curriculum. Having graduate, postgraduate and BEd anganwadi workers and helpers will help in designing and implementing child-friendly learning programmes," said Deputy Director of Women & Child Welfare Deptartment Chetankumar</p><p>"Anganwadis are the first step in a child’s learning journey. With better-qualified staff, children will now receive more structured and quality education," a senior official from the department added.</p><p><strong>Local factors</strong></p><p>According to department sources, many educated women prefer not to relocate for jobs due to personal or family reasons. Others, despite having higher qualifications, lack access to suitable employment in their fields, leading them to apply for anganwadi posts as a temporary or alternative career path. Even those studying for competitive exams or those who have not received satisfactory results in competitive exams are applying for the posts.</p><p>Officials believe this shift is a significant indicator of the current employment landscape, and at the same time, an opportunity to strengthen grassroots education with the help of better-qualified personnel.</p>
