Trained Anganwadi personnel to get diplomas

Tirupati: A novel programme ‘Yashoda’ which is first of its kind in the country has become successful with the first batch of Anganwadi personnel are ready to receive their diploma certificates on Wednesday.

The programme Yashoda (Yardstick for Self-empowerment, Holistic and Overall Development of Anganwadi Personnel) was the brain child of District Collector PS Pradyumna.  

The idea behind this programme was to see every child in Anganwadi centres be treated with care and love by the staff who will be called ‘Yashodas’. The main objective of the programme was to improve services at Anganwadi centres through capacity building.

The Collector had asked Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) to take initiative forward by preparing the syllabus and training module. SPMVV faculty took active part in the training programme for the diploma course to Anganwadi personnel and held classes through video conferencing, direct classroom coaching and practicals at different centres and the classes were held twice a week.

For this diploma programme 1,354 Anganwadi employees  have enrolled and attended the examinations at the end of the course out of which 1,308 persons have qualified and are ready to receive their diplomas on Wednesday. Anganwadi teachers E Gomathi and N Varalakshmi told The Hans India that the course has brought remarkable change in their attitude and work style of Anganwadi workers.

Among other subjects, they found classes in Nutrition and computer knowledge were very useful and now they could be able to handle the pregnant women and new born babies.  

The ICDS PD G Usha Phanikar stated that, training was provided to them in the weekends only without disturbing their regular work. They all participated with enthusiasm by paying Rs.5,000 towards the course fee and completed the course.

Apart from theory classes, they have record work and practical work which they have completed. Examinations were also monitored by the District Collector PS Pradyumna and were held by education department in a systematic way. The question paper setting and evaluation of answer scripts was done by SPMVV faculty.