Tura, Dec 15: A workshop to discuss the importance and implementation of Meghalaya Early Childhood Mission was on Friday conducted by the Development Commissioner in the Meghalaya Government, Sampath Kumar at Tree House Resort Conference Hall in Tura.
Additional Deputy Commissioners, Project Directors, Medical and Health Officers and all related departments of Garo Hills Region attended the workshop.
Speaking during the workshop, Kumar informed that the primary objective of the workshop is to raise awareness and promote collaboration among Health, Social Welfare, Education and Community & Rural Development departments within Meghalaya to support the implementation of the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission in the State for transformational development. Highlighting the roles and responsibilities of the Health, Social Welfare, Education and C & RD Departments in achieving the mission goals, he presented an overview of the mission’s objectives, scope and context of child development and community wellbeing.
Kumar informed during the workshop that in the first phase, Priority Blocks that require immediate attention and intervention for early childhood development would be identified and stakeholder would be engaged for these blocks based on their needs and challenges. Highlighting the normal development of a child, he said that ninety percent of the brain development takes place during the first five years and therefore, a child should be given proper care during this period. Stating that government jobs are saturated and the youth population is increasing day by day, he said that a child should be trained in such a way that they acquire necessary skills while keeping themselves fit and healthy and become productive in future.
According to Kumar, priority focus areas such as health care access, nutrition, early education, parental support, etc., within the selected blocks would be identified and an action plan, resource allocation, etc., developed for implementation over the next six months.