BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Monday launched the first ‘Government Montessories’ under the state, which will upgrade the current Anganwadi centres as educational centres for pre-primary classes. As a pilot project, 250 Anganwadi centres in Bengaluru Urban have been converted, and in the first phase, the department plans to open 5,000 such Montessori across the state, gradually extending the initiative to all Anganwadi centres.
The rebranding of the centres under the name ‘Government Montessories’ aims to provide quality education and nutritious food to children from poor and middle-class families, who cannot afford private education. Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar inaugurated the first government Montessori pre-primary centre for LKG and UKG students, under the Integrated Child Development Scheme in Govindrajnagar.
Speaking to the media, Hebbalkar said, “The government is upgrading Anganwadi centres to emphasise education and health, reflecting its commitment to developing children’s capabilities from a young age. Today, there are 70,000 operational Anganwadi centres and the state also holds the distinction of starting the first pre-primary school within these centres.”
The minister explained that the initial plan to introduce pre-primary classes through the Department of Education was scrapped due to opposition from Anganwadi workers, as it would draw children away from anganwadis centres.
These centres will provide education in both Kannada and English and each child will receive a uniform, bag, and pencil box. Transfer certificates will also be provided to support the child’s further educational progress.
Hebbalkar added that the fees charged by private montessories, which range from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh annually deprive many of the facilities. “To combat these high costs and ensure that every child has access to quality education and nutritious food, the government will offer this free of cost,” said Hebbalkar.