BAL SEVIKAS EXPLOITED IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

BAL SEVIKAS EXPLOITED IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

HUGE INJUSTICE FOR LAST 28 YEARS- A DETAIL BY VIJAY KUMAR HEER

The Pre-primary education sector in Himachal Pradesh had been initiated by the state govt. through appointment of Bal Sevikas. After the country became independent in 1947, a concern for the 'less privileged' sections of the society became apparent and 'balwadis' were set up in rural areas. Central Social Welfare Board was set up in 1953 for providing grants-in-aid to NGOs. Thereafter, in the 1960s, the impact of new knowledge about possible effects of nutritional deprivation on the development of the child or his health became visible in the form of emergence of Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Mid-day Meal Programme etc. Around mid 70s, the launching of 'Integrated Child Development Services' (ICDS) brought the focus on holistic development of the child.

 Early Childhood Care and Education, as an expression, found a mention in the Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) when for the first time a shift in approach from welfare to development became apparent. Pursuant to the formulation of the National Policy on Children in 1974, a perspective of integrated care and education led to the forming of a centrally sponsored ICDS, being implemented in the country since 1975.

 

                                   Some of the important current government programmes/ schemes in India include: Early Childhood Education Scheme; Creches and Day Care Centres Scheme; and ECCE under District Primary Education Programme.

Early Childhood Education Scheme was launched during the Sixth Five-Year Plan. This scheme seeks to reduce the drop-out rate and improve the retention of children in primary schools. Another scheme, called Creches and Day Care Centres Scheme, started in 1975, provides day care services mainly to under five children of migrant, agricultural and construction labourers. ECCE started in 1984 is organized under the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) with the aim to augment the existing provisions under ICDS and set up new ECE centres in areas not covered by ICDS. The programme also seeks to improve ECE-primary school linkage. These cratches were introduced in Himachal Pradesh as it was not covered by ICDS Scheme at that time. All Bal Sevikas and Bal Sahayikas were appointed under this scheme as a substitute of ICDS workers.

(Grant-in-aid to Voluntary Organizations in the field of Child Welfare)

(State Sponsored Schemes)

Kindergarten (Balwari)
Purpose
To develop the mental ability, health& Pre-primary informal education and  of children .
Eligibility of children for the said scheme: Children of the age  3-6 years.
Aid: The State Social Advisory  Board , Himachal Pradesh Shimla is providing 100% aid to run the and 83 kindergarten and industry centers as well as   Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council, Shimla to run the 47 Kindergarten(Balwari) Centres.

 

Top of Form

Integrated Child Development Services Programme

Introduction
The program began October 2, 1975, and use of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday celebrated throughout India as the chosen program was launched in 33 blocks. Pooh in Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh block was the first area who began the program. Currently all of the state in blocks 75 and 18248 Aangnbadi, Shimla town centers through the program is being implemented successfully. 75 Child Development Projects under this program and a voluntary organization in the public sector (the state Gagret block) is being run through.
Program Objectives:

• For children aged up to six years to improve nutrition and health.
• children's mental, physical, social and intellectual development lay the foundation.
• reduction of child mortality and malnutrition in children.
• reduction in the rate of children leaving school.
• health and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers to improve.

In Anganwadi Services
• Complementary Nutrition diet
• non-formal pre-school education
• Vaccination
• Health check
• Nutrition diet and Health Education
• References Services
1. The program complements Nutrition diet
Pregnant and lactating mothers and children under the age of 6 years are provided Nutrition diet Anganwadi supplement.
• Nutrition diet rates

The government is providing 1:12:05 Nutrition diet the increased rates. The low rates as under: -
(Rates per woman / child per day)

Beneficiaries	Diet money	Fuel	Transportation	Total
Pregnant Women	Rs. 2.70	Rs. 0.25	Rs. 0.15	Rs. 3.10
lactating mothers	Rs. 2.70	Rs. 0.25	Rs. 0.15	Rs. 3.10
Teenage girls	Rs. 2.70	Rs. 0.25	Rs. 0.15	Rs. 3.10
Children	Rs. 1.60	Rs. 0.25	Rs. 0.15	Rs. 2.00

• Selection of the  Nutrition diet
At the state level for the selection and purchase of nutrition diet, Director, Social Justice and Empowerment is headed by a selection committee. Managing Director, State Civil Supplies Corporation, Director of Health, Director, Food And Civil Supplies, Purchasing Committee are also its members. Nutrition diet is chosen after each quarter of year by the selection committee . To ensure the quality of food ingredients District Program Officer (at the district level) ICDS and Regional  Manager, State Civil Supplies Corporation is involved for the  joint inspection of the food ingredients .
2. Non-formal pre-school education
• non-formal pre-school education to children from 3 to 6 years of age is provided.
• The purpose of this service, children's physical, mental, social and intellectual development is.
• non-formal pre-school education to children games - games and toys, etc., are given in the charts.
• The education of the child is mentally ready for school.

The Bal Sevikass are serving under the Child Welfare Council, Shimla (HP) for past two and half decades, when the ICDS scheme was not widely spread in Himachal Pradesh. The Bal Sevikass had joined the department in the manner that they will get proper honorarium and promotion for the said post.

                                                The grant in aid system introduced for the welfare of the Bal Sevikas has not been satisfactory. At the early phase of the service, they were made Nursery Trained Teacher/ JBT  in the Department of Primary Education, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh under the following notification issued by Governor of Himachal Pradesh as below:-

 

                                                   Government of Himachal Pradesh

                                            "Education Department" Shimla-171002

                            ****

No. Cha. (7)-2/79-Shiksha (Ka)       Dated 25"¹ April, 1981

                                                                                    Office Order

The Governor, Himachal Pradesh, is pleased to order that "One year Balsevika Traning Course" introduced by the Indian Council of Child Welfare, al Kamla Nagar (Bhatt-Kuffar) of Shimla district Himachal Pradesh be recognized for employment as  Nursery Teacher in the Department of Education in Himachal Pradesh.

The Governor, Himachal Pradesh, is further pleased to order that J.B.T. certificate awarded by the Punjab & Haryana education department to candidates, who had earlier qualified one year nursery teacher training course & underwent second year J.B.T. integrated course, be considered equivalent to two year J.B.T. course of Himachal Pradesh Government for the purpose of employment in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

These orders shall come into force with immediate effect.

Bv Order Sd/-

                                                                                         (Anang pal) Secretary(Education)to the

                                                                                                 Govt. of Himachal Pradesh

No. Cha. (7)-2/79-Shiksha (Ka)       Dated 25^lh April. 1981

                               Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to

All the Secretaries/Joint Secretaries/Deputy Secretaries. Under Secretaries

to the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

All Heads of departments in Himachal Pradesh

                             This order caused the promotion of approximately 48 Bal sevikas on the post of Primary/Nursery Teacher in Himachal Pradesh till 1988. The policy was well appreciated and Bal sevikas serving at very low honorarium of Rs. 200-400 continued their service without trying to adopt any other job due the hope that they will also get job of Primary teacher after doing NTT course as per the details mentioned above ,but they did not get such opportunity.

                        They were exploited on the very low honorarium for 15 years and then a new notification came into effect as below:-

'No. EDN-C-B (2) 4/96-    Dated Shimla-2, the 12 August. 1997

 

                                          Notification

 

The Governor. Himachal Pradesh is pleased to frame "Himachal Pradesh Nursery Trained Teachers Scheme, 1997" for those who has qualified One year condensed course of Nursery Teachers up to and including the year 1984-85 from Manva Bharti Mussooree, Dehradun (Uttar Pradesh) for appointment against vacant posts of J.B.Ts. as per Annexure-'A'.

2.       This Scheme would be applicable from the daie of issue of this Notification. Jai Hind

                                                                                                                                    By Order

 

                                                                                                           KAJWANT SANDHU

                                                                                                        Commr-cum-Secretary (Edu)

                                                                                             to the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Endst. No. EDN-C-B (2) 4/96-         Dated Shimla-2. the 12 August, 1997

Copy forwarded to the following for information:-

The Secretary to the Governor. Himachal Pradesh. Shimla-2

The Principal Secretary to Chief Ministcr,H.P.Shin,la-2

The Private Secretary to Chief Minister.H.P.Shimlu-2

The Private Secretary to Education Minister,H.P.Shimla-2

The Private Secretary to State Minister (Primary Education).! I.P.Shimla-2

The Accountant General, Himachal Pradesh, ShimU-3

The Secretary (Finance) to the Governor, Himachal. Pradesh. Shimla-2

The Secretary (Law) to the Governor, Himachal Pradesh. Shimla-2

The Secretary (Personnel) to the Governor, Himachal Pradesh. Shimla-

The Secretary (GAD) to the Governor. Himachal Pradesh. Shimla-2

The Director of Education. H.P. Shimla-I

The Director of Primary Education, H.P. Shimla-i

The Controller. Printing & Sty, HP Shimla-5 for publication in the Rajpatra

All the District Primary Education Officers in HP

The Section Officers, Edu-"A" & Edu-'B' sections-. HP Secretariat.

 

                                                                                Sd/-

                                         Secretary(Edu)to the Govt, of Himachal Pradesh

 

These "Himachal Pradesh Nursery Trained Teachers Scheme, 1997" did not provide any respect to the previous notification mentioned above and Bal Sevikas were not promoted as NTT in the department of Primary Education, however, the earlier notification was not cancelled by the Department of Education at that time. The deliberative ignorance was done toward the Bal Sevikas in this policy and instead of promoting them on the post of NTT, the fresh recruitment was done and Bal Sevikas did not get the opportunity and any promotion by virtue of the seniority and earlier policy.

                                  When Govt. did not heed towards them, they tried to have its attention by making various representations to the Department and Govt., but it also proved unsuccessfull.  Many pay commissions came and gone in last 28 years but the honorarium of these Bal Sevikas have reached from Rs. 200 to 1400 and Balwari (Shishu Kendra) Helpers are working on Rs. 600 per month which is an injustice towards them. The dignity of work is must for every govt. while ICDS employees are getting more than double honorarium for the same nature of work.                                                                      Now, as they are working on the honorarium of mere Rs. 1400 per month, their honorarium after 28 years is almost equal to the freshly appointed Part Time Water Carriers in Govt. Primary Schools of H.P. After such a long duration of service, this inadequate honorarium is injustice towards these Bal Sevikas.

                        The Bal Sevikass have not been promoted Supervisor directly in ICDS department as the nature of work is same in Anganwari and Balwari Kendras. If Govt. has not given them any extra duty itself, how it can claim that they are inferior to the post scheme appointee Anganwari workers.The Bal Sewika Scheme under HP Child Welfare Council was initiated in  1975 and the ICDS based Anganwari Scheme was launched at large scale in year 2000. So Bal Sewikas are the most senior employees in Pre-Primary/ECCE education in H.P. having working experience more than Anganwri workers. Still the honorarium of ICDS based Anganwari workers is approx.3000+other honorariums in respect of various surveys. The working time of ICDS based Anganwari workers in 10:00 am to 3:00 pm but the same working schedule for Bal Sewikas is 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Even then, the honorarium of Bal Sewikas is very little instead of seniority and more working hours. Why they have not been given a respected salary instead of same nature of work, same Department and same state ? In our state, 8 years to 12 years of service holder all type of daily wagers, contract employees and temporary/adhoc employees have also got regularization or became whole time employee but Bal Sewikas have been the only exception in last 28 years.

                                              In the light of above facts, why they are not promoted as Supervisor in ICDS department but like past, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has  issued a new notification which has stopped the path of promotion of Bal Sevikas to the post of ICDS Supervisor on the basis of seniority by enhancing the 70% direct promotion quota to  90% direct quota for the Anganwadi Workers on the basis of seniority to be prmoted as ICDS Supervisor. The advertisement of the recruitment of 808 post of ICDS supervisors in HP was issued ealrlier which also was not in favor of the Bal Sevikass.  The age limit fixation, written test and interview may not be applied in case of Bal Sevikas and  they should be promoted by virtue of the seniority for the post of ICDS Supervisor. It must be understood that  they have been deprived from the posts of JBT teachers , kept on lowest possible honorarium and given no more benefit instead of spending almost 20-30 years in the field of Pre-Primary/ECC Education.By virtue of seniority and lack of other benefits, they must be given this promotion without having any age bar for promotion as many Bal Sevikas will retire within three years. At the end time of service, if they get the benefit of promotion, they will get only satisfaction for the services  done by them in last 28 years. The most objectionable latest notification is as below:-

(Authoritative English Text of this department notification No WLF-B(2)4/79-IV, dated 18-9-2012 as required under clause (3) of Article 348 of the constitution of India.)

 

Government of Himachal Pradesh Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.

 

No.: WLF-B(2)4/79-IV, dated, Shimla-2                           the        18^m September,2012

 

NOTIFICATION

In exercise of the powers conferred by proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India, the Governor, Himachal Pradesh, in consultation with the H.P Public service commission is pleased to make the following Rules further to amend the Himachal Pradesh, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Supervisor Class­ing Non Gazetted), Recruitment and Promotion, Rules, 2011 notified vide this Department Notification of even number dated 22-2-2011 namely:-

 

Short title and Commencement; l.(l)These rules may be called the Himachal

Pradesh, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Supervisor, Class-III-(Non-Gazetted) Recruitment and Promotion (first amendment) Rules, 2012(2) These rules shall come into force from the date of publication in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh.

 

Amendment of Annexure-A:    2. In Annexure "A" to the Himachal Pradesh Social

Justice & Empowerment Department, Supervisor ,Class-III (Non Gazetted) Recruitment and Promotion, Rules, 2011,

 

(a) for the existing provisions against Col.No. 10, the following shall be substituted, namely:-

 

(i)   10% by direct recruitment on regular basis or
by direct recruitment on contract basis as the case
may be. The contract employee will get
emoluments as given in Cilo.No.15-A and will be
governed by service conditions as specified in the
said column.

                                                             (ii)         40 % by limited direct recruitment on regular
                                                                              basis or by direct recruitment on contract basis,
                                                                              from amongst the Anganwari Workers/ Balwari
                                                                             Workers/Balwari Teachers/Balsevikas/ Principal/
                                                                               Lady Social Instructor of Anganwari Training
                                                                               Centre/Middle Level Centers from recognized
                                                                               Board of School Education/Institution with ten
                                                                                years experience.

                                                                      (iii) 50% by induction from Anganwari Workers, and

 

(b)   for the existing provisions against Col.No. 11, the following shall be substituted, namely:-

 

(i) 40 % from the Anganwari Workers who have
passed Matriculation Examination from a
recognized Board of School
Education / Institution                  with more  than

20 years experience as Anganwari Workers on the basis of their seniority without conducting any competition / written examination and interview.

(ii) 10% from Anganwari Workers who have passed Graduation from a recognized University with more than 15 years experience as Anganwari Workers on the basis of their seniority without conducting any competition/ written examination and interview failing which by induction as provided at (i) above.

 

By order

 

Pr. Secretary(SJ&E)to the Govt, of Himachal Pradesh.

 

Endst. No. WLF-B(2)4/79-IV, dated, Shimla-2    the                           18th September,2012

Copy is forwarded to:-.

1.   All the Administrative Secretaries to the Govt, of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-2

2.   The Controller, Printing & Stationery Deptt., H.P., Shimla-5 for publication in the

Govt. Gazette.

3.  The Director, Social Justice & Empowerment, H.P., Shimla-9 . She is requested

procure five copies of the Rajpatra from Printing and Stationery Department.

4.   The Sr. Law Officer, Law Deptt.(Hindi)H.P. Secretariat Shimla-2.

5.   Guard file/ 50 spare copies.

 

UndefSecretary(SJ&E)to the

 Govt, of Himachal Pradesh.

 

 The new notification do not include any specific or even simple quota to the Bal Sevikas which has created a question markin this matter. The Bal Sevikass have this grievance and they want this notification to be cancelled and stayed  till further policy decision about the Bal Sevikas in the state .

                             By increasing the promotion quota of the Anganwari workers from 70% to 90% for the post of ICDS, the right of promotion of Bal Sevikas has affected severely. They will not get even a single for post for Bal Sevikas to be promotion by virtue of seniority and their past long service which is more than most of the Anganwadi workers will be of no use of them. They must be considered equal to the Anganwadi workers and the seniority wise promotion list must be prepared jointly in which , Bal Sevikas must be included according to the seniority. The nature of work of the Anganwadi workers and Bal Sevikas has been same in past and if any difference has arisen, it is due to the Govt. policy and Bal Sevikas has not denied any duty on their own behalf. If there cannot be any written test for the promotion of senior Anganwadi workers, why the opposite scheme should be applied over the Bal Sevikas serving in the state. There must be complete relaxation in the age and qualification for them. The Govt. did not even took notice of the already running cases in this matter at H.P. High Court under the Case no. CWP 1782/2011CIVIL WRIT PETITION 1782 of 2011 ,BAL SEVIKA HELPER SANGH Vs. STATE Pet's Adv. : LALIT KUMAR SHARMA Res's Adv. : AG VIRENDER SINGH CHAUHAN   and CIVIL WRIT PETITION 2332 of 2011 ,NEK RAM Vs. STATE Pet's Adv. : RAJESH KUMAR,UMESH KUMAR Res's Adv. : AG who are yet to be decided in this regard and new notification was released by neglecting and not waiting for the decision of the case. This is very unfortunate and the stay is needed immediately against the latest notification.

                                      The Child welfare Council is Headed by Chief Minister, Governor as Secretary and also many other higher govt. officials of the Department which is enough to indicate that it is not any Non Govt. Organization, but the employees serving under Social Justice and Empowerment Department. There has not been any honorarium mentioned by the Department for the post of Bal Sevika and Bal Sahaiykas in its official website http://himachal.gov.in/welfare/index.htm which shows that they are not even in the employee list if the Department which is grievance of Bal Sevikass after rendering three decades of continue service under the same department , however, Anganwadi workers name and honorarium has been included . The senior Pre-Primary Educators i.e. Bal Sevikas have not been considered for public disclosure inder RTI by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment , HP on its official website. Hence, no attention has been paid towards the good of the Bal Sevikass in the lastest notification which has no more scope for the Bal Sevikass to get the post of ICDS Supervisor as they are unable to compete with graduates serving as Anganwadi workers and many other categories of employees of ICDS Department. This will end the future of the Bal Sevikass and they will get retired after a long economic and social exploitation without any fault on their part. Since year 2000, they have not been merged with Anganwadi system and it has also seized from them, this opportunity for becoming ICDS Supervisor.

 

 

                 A representation was made earlier in this regard by Vijay Kumar Heer, State President of Himachal Shikshak Kranti Manch to The Office of Prime Minister, Govt. of India in this context, but the state govt. did not pay heed over the directions issued by Sh. Jatinder Kaur, Secreaty, Govt. of India, in which promotion, according to seniority, of Bal Sevikas to the post of Supervisor under ICDS Programme in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The issues raised in the above representation was to be investigated in the light of extant rules/regulations/guidelines of ICDS Scheme and the Bal Sevikas(Sh. Vijay Kumar Heer) was to be informed of the same. But no reply was given on the same to him.The new notification issued has been just opposite to the interest of Bal Sevikas and hence, they have grievance over the whole issue. The correspondence done by him via email with office of the Chief Minsiter , Govt. of H.P. has also been very positive , but the outcome of the matter is negative. The direction letter issued by Govt. of India is as below:

 

 

NO.19-7/2012-CD-I Government of India Ministry of Women & Child Development

 

Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi
Dated:8^th June, 2012

To,

 

The Principal Secretary,

Deptt. of Social Justice & Empowerment,

Govt, of Himachal Pradesh,

H.P. Secretariat,

SHIMLA-171 002

 

Subject: Forwarding of representations/applications/complaints/requests to the State Governments - regarding.

 

 

Sir,

 

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of an e-mailed representation received from Shri Vijay Kumar, State President, Himachal Shikshak Kranti Manch, V&PO Chakmoh, Tehsil Badsar, District Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) Pin: 176039 requesting for promotion, according to seniority, of Bal Sevikas to the post of Supervisor under ICDS Programme in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

 

The issues raised in the above representation may kindly be investigated in the light of extant rules/regulations/guidelines of ICDS Scheme and the Bal Sevikas may be informed of the same. A copy of the reply may also be sent to this Ministry for information.

 

Yours faithfully,

Under Secretary to the Govt, of India

 

 

Copy for information to: Shri Vijay Kumar, State President, Himachal
Shikshak Kranti Manch, V&PO Chakmoh, Tehsil Badsar, District Hamirpur
(Himachal       Pradesh)         Pin:     176039

                                                 All employees are given insurance benefits by the state/centre govt. MNREGA workers are also insured but Bal Sewikas are not insured.Anganwari workers and many other workers have been given at least one single life or health  insurance but Bal Sewikas have got none. Health/Life insurance may be given to the Bal Sevikass. Some Bal Sevikas died during service, but their families got no relief amount, no pension, no compensation etc.It is also worthy to mention that the nutrition money sanctioned for the children in Shishu Kendras is less than that of ICDS scheme. They must be made equal as the pre-primary children have same level of needs. The nutrition must reach to them per month instead of after many months as the existing pattern says. They are also not given salary in Bank Accounts via online process every month.  The Bal Sewikas have not been given any infrastructures to keep the records, make children sitting in classroom etc. They basic infrastructure is must. There are no chairs, no almirahs, no desks/tat patti etc. for students in many Shishu Kendras (Balwadis/Kindergartens). The Bal Sewikas are asked to collect fees of Rs. 20 to 60  from parents of kids reading in Balwadi for Pre-Primary Education. It is a really illogical as the honorarium of Bal Sevikas is given on 100% grant-in-aid, then why the Govt. based agency needs the fee from the poor children, even BPL and IRDP Children are not spared. When Primary and Pre-Primary Education are free universally as per UNESCO and UNICEF guidelines, why such injustice is done? If it is done, I shall move the matter to UNESCO and UNICEF alongwith concerned Department of Govt. of India because it is not in accordance with RTE 2009 and many international laws made for Pre-Primary education.

 Early Childhood Care and Education

Children are missing out on critical early learning opportunities

Programmes devoted to early childhood care and education (ECCE) support the role of parents and communities at a critical time in a child’s development. However, according to the latest UIS data, ECCE remains one of the most neglected areas of education.

Ranging from crèches for the very young to pre-schools, ECCE programmes can help ensure a child’s well-being. In addition to the interaction and play that children need for cognitive development, these programmes can provide basic health care and nutrition, cushion children from social disruption and protect their rights.

ECCE also prepares children for primary school, contributing to higher enrolment and completion rates. For these reasons, governments concerned with universal primary education and other Education for All commitments have set targets for ECCE. And yet, disparities in access to programmes persist, leaving behind the most disadvantaged children. In some countries, the gap between government targets and social realities is significant.

How many years of pre-primary education are available in a country? How many years do children actually get? The UIS has created an interactive graphic illustrating the impact that barriers like poverty and limited availability of programmes can have on access to early childhood care and education.

Click on the chart below to view the difference between the number of years of pre-primary education offered in a country (reflected by the intended duration indicator) and the amount of time children actually spend in such programmes (reflected by the school life expectancy indicator).

Source: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/global-action-week-data-viz-2012.aspx

(OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF UNESCO INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS)

                                                     Hence, it is clear that the fee collection from students during the pre-primary level is not in the interest of poor and disadvantageous section related children who  may get deprived of their right of education due to such orders given to Bal Sevikas.

Pre-primarl y Teachers’ Salaries and Private Provision

Evidence from Kenya demonstrates how fees and private provision can ultimately affect pre-primary teachers’ salaries. Since the introduction of free primary education, most parents are no longer interested in paying for pre-primary education. Therefore decreased enrolments have had to mean reduced salaries for pre-primary teachers as pre-primary teachers’ salaries are most often covered by parental fees, unlike primary teachers who are presumably paid according to legal statutes and salary scales. As a result, free primary education has effectively made it even more difficult to mobilise resources from parents for pre-primary education. In fact, several cases of decreased job security and Pre-primary centre closures are on the rise, particularly in poorer communities (UNESCO, 2006).

                                                                Recent policy directions encouraging a greater role for the private sector to meet the demands for pre-primary education in Morocco may also eventually affect pre-primary teachers’ salaries. As in Kenya, pre-primary teachers’ salaries in Morocco vary according to what the private institutions can pay. As the current pre-primary services rapidly expand, teachers will inevitably move to better-paying schools as opportunities arise. While this may result in higher salaries for those working in wealthier regions and communities, this could also be a significant problem in that low-price services catering for disadvantaged children may have difficulty recruiting good, qualified teachers (UNESCO, 2004).

  http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001474/147498e.pdf

Source: United Nations Documents present on the above URL of UNESCO

                                 The concern of the report is also with India and the low wages/ honorarium to the workers like Bal Sevikas in Himachal Pradesh can affect the standard of the pre-primary education/ECCE. The long service of Bal Sevikas on the lowest possible honorarium is a curse to them in the era of price hiking. The daily wagers are getting Rs. 150 per day for the work , but Bal Sevikas are getting only Rs. 47 per day as honorarium for the full day duty. Such disparity shows that the economic and social status of Bal Sevikas and Sahayikas is less than that of a daily wage worker in the state and the total honorarium per year is like that of a MNREGA worker. The dignity of labour, more than 20-30 years of service has brought nothing in salary outcome to the Bal Sevikass . Even their existence has also not been given recognition on the official website of the Department of Social Justice and Welfare, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh. The Bal Sevikass want to get the recognition of the service done in the past and they must get equal status in all respects to the Angawadi workers from the date of joining the department.