Advocates for Children's Rights Urge Improved Budget Allocation for Early Childhood Development

09^th August 2024; New Delhi: Alliance for Right to ECD hosted a webinar that analyzed the Union Budget 2024-2025 from the perspective of Early Childhood Development (ECD). Alliance for Right to ECD in collaboration with, Right to Education Forum, Campaign Against Child Labour, and the Forum for Crèches and Children's Services (FORCES) have been highlighting the issues around quality ECD and adequate budgetary allocations required for it. The webinar evaluated and brought forth critical insights on the budget’s alignment with early childhood development. The discussion encompassed health, education, care, and nutrition—areas that require a multisectoral approach and convergence of funds.

The speakers highlighted the low budgetary allocations to the social sector and their impact on ECD. Shortage of skilled human resources and quality infrastructure were identified as major factors that lead to inadequate access to early childhood services for underserved communities. While lauding the New Education Policy (NEP) and Mission Saksham Anganwadi as significant developments, the speakers emphasized increased funding and robust policy measures as vital measures to effectively provide universal ECD facilities.

Prof. Venita Kaul, Steering Committee Member of Alliance for Right to ECD, highlighted the progress made in ECD. “Early childhood was given priority in NEP 2020 for the first time operationally, integrating it into the school curriculum. The formation of the national curriculum framework and the introduction of schemes like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 reflect the government’s commitment to this sector. The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development’s frameworks, Adharshila and Navchetna, further showcase this commitment.”

Protiva Kundu, addressed the challenges in public spending on social sectors. “Despite an increase over the past decade, public spending on social sectors remains low at around 7.8% of GDP. This inadequacy has led to systemic weaknesses in programs for young children, including shortages in skilled human resources and quality infrastructure. The government must prioritize a sustainable quality childcare system and address data gaps to provide adequate financing.”

The webinar also featured a panel discussion with experts including Chirashree Ghosh, National Coordinator of FORCES (Forum for Creches and Childcare Services (FORCES), Dipa Sinha, Development Economist. The panelists advocated for increasing the number of creches for model development and the need to strengthen ECD provisions in the country by focusing on services for both, children and their families.

Chirashree Ghosh emphasized the need for equitable resource distribution. “While 17,000 creches were chosen for model development, the remaining creches also deserve similar treatment. The budget allocation disparities raise questions about the universalization of quality services for all children. State budgets must now focus on addressing these gaps.”

Dipa Sinha stated the critical role of state intervention in improving childcare services “There is no doubt that state intervention is crucial for enhancing services for children. Early Childhood Development (ECD) is not confined to a single ministry or department; it requires a coordinated approach across multiple services benefiting both children and their households. Although we’ve seen some progress in areas like national nutrition campaigns over the past decade, ECD still does not receive the priority it deserves. To address this, we must advocate for a substantial increase in the budget for children, reflecting the rise in GST and inflation, to ensure that ECD schemes are adequately funded and prioritized.”

Arbind Singh from NASVI (The National Association of Street Vendors of India) said “There is a need to align governance with the policy. While there is unspent money for street vendors on one hand on the other hand eviction of street vendors is still burning concern.”

The webinar underscored the critical need for improved policy and budgetary prioritization to create an enabling environment for young children and their families. The coalition of organisations continues to advocate for comprehensive strategies to enhance early childhood development services and ensure equitable access for all children.