Shillong: The Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission (MECDM), under the Social Welfare Department, and Rocket Learning on Wednesday launched an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme to strengthen early learning through Anganwadi Centres across the state.
The launch and orientation programme brought together key Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) stakeholders, including District Programme Officers, Child Development Project Officers, Lady Supervisors and partner organisations.
The session focused on early childhood education, the role of Anganwadi workers and Lady Supervisors, and the programme’s approach to promoting play-based learning at Anganwadi Centres.
Under the programme, Anganwadi workers will receive digital content and training resources through WhatsApp. The content will be curriculum-aligned, localised and developed in local languages to reflect Meghalaya’s cultural and linguistic context.
The initiative is intended to help Anganwadi workers conduct age-appropriate and play-based activities with children.
In an earlier discussion, Meghalaya Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar asked Rocket Learning to consider a broader role in addressing challenges related to ECCE in the state. This includes revamping Cluster Learning Labs, which serve as in-person training infrastructure for Anganwadi workers.
Saloni Verma, Director of the Social Welfare Department, said the ICDS system has a key role in delivering quality early childhood services.
“The success of this programme will depend on strong ownership at the district, project, and sector levels. DPOs, CDPOs, and Lady Supervisors will play a critical role in ensuring that Anganwadi Workers are supported and encouraged throughout implementation,” she said.
Ronald Kynta, Chief Operating Officer of MECDM, said early childhood development was central to Meghalaya’s efforts to build strong foundations for children.
“MECDM’s partnership with Rocket Learning will aim to bridge the current gaps in the ECCE in Meghalaya. Through this partnership, we aim to support Anganwadi Workers with practical tools, training, and recognition so that Anganwadi Centres can become vibrant spaces for early learning,” he said.
Siddhartha Singh, Lead, State Operations at Rocket Learning, said the organisation would support MECDM and the Social Welfare Department in strengthening early childhood education across Meghalaya.
“By combining localised content, technology-enabled delivery, and the strength of the ICDS system, we hope to make high-quality ECCE support accessible and practical for every Anganwadi Worker,” he said.
The programme is aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s early childhood development system and supporting inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children through Anganwadi Centres.
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