Anganwadi workers oppose KG classes in govt schools

Thousands of Anganawadi workers from across the state gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Thursday urging state government to not to start kindergarten at government schools in the state.

Addressing the protesters, S Varalakshmi, president of anganawadi workers association said that the decision of the government to start pre-primary classes at government schools was unscientific. She alleged that the government was out to shut down anganwadi centers in order to increase admissions at government schools.

The protesters alleged that, just to strengthen one department, government was misusing the other department.

“We demand the state government to drop the decision and instead of opening pre-primary classes at government schools, let it upgrade anganawadi centres,” said protesters.

Varalakshmi said that a majority of people working at anganawadi centres were qualified to handle pre-primary classes. Despite that the government was planning to hire guest teachers, an justice for anganwadi workers serving for several years.

Interestingly, even the state women and child development minister Jayamala who met protesting anganawadi workers indirectly expressed unhappiness over the government’s decision.

“Anganawadi workers’ service in the state is laudable and instead of opening LKG/UKG at government schools, the government can actually upgrade the 66,000 anganawadi centres in the state by providing them proper training “

Meanwhile, Jayamala assured of resolving the issue by holding talks with chief minister.