Odisha Calls for Interdepartmental Coordination to Strengthen Early Childhood Education

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has called for stronger coordination among government departments to improve early childhood care, nutrition, healthcare and learning opportunities for children aged 0–6 years. The need for an integrated approach was highlighted at the concluding session of the two-day National ECCE and Education Conclave in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

Organised by the Department of Women and Child Development in collaboration with Rocket Learning, the conclave brought together senior officials from the Women and Child Development, School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare departments to discuss a coordinated framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

During the second day, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, Dr Mrinalini Darswal, emphasised the importance of collective efforts across departments to strengthen the state’s early childhood development agenda.

A high-level roundtable discussion formed a key part of the deliberations, providing a platform for senior officials to identify areas of collaboration, align existing programmes and strengthen institutional mechanisms for the holistic development of young children.

The discussion was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department N. Thirumala Naik; Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department B. Parameswaran; Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal; Director of SCERT Madhusmita Sahoo; and Director of ICDS and Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department, Monisha Banerjee, among others.

The deliberations focused on aligning departmental priorities, making better use of existing institutional platforms and ensuring shared responsibility for early childhood development. Participants also discussed key action points and strategic priorities to strengthen the state’s ECCE framework through sustained collaboration and coordinated implementation.

The two-day conclave underlined that children’s development during the foundational years requires a continuum of care encompassing quality nutrition and healthcare, responsive caregiving, early stimulation and play-based learning. It also highlighted the importance of an empowered Anganwadi workforce and active parental participation.

The conclave concluded with a shared commitment among government departments and development partners to strengthen Odisha’s early childhood care and education ecosystem and ensure a strong foundation for every child.