Anganwadis establish alumni associations to strengthen centres in DK | Mangaluru News
Mangaluru: Anganwadi centres in Dakshina Kannada district have established forums comprising their alumni, following the model of alumni associations in schools and colleges. This initiative by the women and child welfare department aims to develop anganwadis through a community-based approach by uniting former members of the centres. The alumni associations are tasked with enhancing anganwadi centres by providing basic facilities.While schools have school development and monitoring committees (SDMC), each anganwadi is being monitored by Balavikasa Samiti, which comprises parents as its members. Meanwhile, self-help groups functioning in the villages also support anganwadis. However, as per the new initiative, alumni associations of the respective anganwadis will chalk out plans to solve problems and implement programmes to develop the centres.Women and child welfare department deputy director Usman A told TOI that in Dakshina Kannada district, alumni associations have been formed in 150 anganwadi centres. He said that those who studied in anganwadis meet periodically to discuss the development of the centres, where they began their educational journey. The idea is to ensure that anganwadi centres are not deprived of basic facilities and that the association members support their development. The initiative has evoked a good response from those who studied in anganwadis in the district, he said.While Dakshina Kannada district has 2,131 anganwadi centres, 1,927 have their buildings. Many have been functioning inside the premises of govt schools, community centres, and other govt buildings. More than 50 are functioning in rented premises. A discussion on providing buildings for anganwadi centres in the district was held during a KDP meeting chaired by district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao recently. The minister directed deputy commissioner Darshan MV to identify land for all anganwadi centres that are functioning in rented buildings.
