Meghalaya has signed an agreement with a Netherlands-based organisation to strengthen its Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mission.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Van Leer Foundation (VLF) Chief Program Officer (Global) Rushda Majeed and Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner Sampath Kumar here today.
This strategic partnership is aimed at leveraging and optimising human centric interventions into Meghalaya’s governance framework to improve early childhood outcomes.
The foundation will put in its experience and expertise in the mission and will set up a technical support unit (TSU) with experts from various disciplines. It will also act as a major link to some of the best national and international best practices.
Further, their models which have worked well in other states and nations will be pilot tested in Meghalaya and contextualised before further scaling up across the state.
The Centre for Developing Child-Meghalaya, which is the centre of excellence under the ECD Mission will benefit from the foundation being the main partner in its conceptualisation and formation of the centre; the foundation will aid in documentation support of various ECD innovations under the Mission and bring about a lighthouse effect and a replicable model for other states in the country.
Kumar said the ECD mission seeks to ensure that every child in Meghalaya reaches their full potential, with a special focus on nutrition, health, early learning, and responsive caregiving.
A presentation was given by Ronald Kynta, COO-Meghalaya ECD Mission on the objectives, long-term implications and intended outcomes of the Mission. It was emphasized that Meghalaya is a “Children’s State” with 49 per cent of its population under 19 years.
The state has positioned ECD as a foundational pillar for governance and economic growth. ECD as a multi-sectoral, convergent approach was highlighted where all key departments (Health, Education, Social Welfare, Community & Rural Development) integrate ECD into their mandates for systemic impact.
Meghalaya’s unique Life-Cycle Approach to Human Development was put forth, recognizing two windows of opportunity; that is early childhood years and the adolescent period.
Focus was laid on the three crucial areas of intervention under the Mission—Home Centre, Community and holistic child development—through structured support at every touchpoint in a child’s life.
Meanwhile, the VLF team also undertook field visits in Ri Bhoi district and interacted with Village Health Council members, caregivers, frontline workers, and community stakeholders at Rongphartong Anganwadi Centre, Umling Block.
They also visited the Umrandairy Community Hall, Umsning Block to observe Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHND) sessions, assessing the integration of ECD into maternal health programs.
