Press Release

Inauguration of model Icds and kindergarden

Information & Public Relations Department

Date: 17-Feb-2021
Gyalshing, February 17 (IPR): A model Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Centre and kindergarten section constructed through NITI Aayog and Social Welfare Department Government of Sikkim under aspirational district programme was inaugurated today at Pelling, West Sikkim under Yangthang Constituency. Hon’ble Madam Smt. Sarda Tamang, spouse of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) attended the event as the Chief Guest with the special presence of DC (West) Shri Karma R. Bonpo, ADC (Dev.) Shri Surat Gurung, CDPO(West) H.B Shanker ,SDM/Gyalshing, SDM/Dentam, other dignitaries and HOD's from various departments, teachers of ICDS, Panchayats, and the rural public were also present at the event.
The event also drew light on the technical report stating that the two-storeyed ICDS Centre having kindergarten section was constructed at the cost of rupees 28 lakhs. ICDS Centre which has been constructed within the premises of Pelling Senior Secondary School.
Chief Guest Smt.Sarda Tamang calling the inauguration of ICDS centre a historical achievement in terms of the development of education sector in the state mentioned that model ICDS established at Pelling was the fulfilment of dreams and vision of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim. She expressed that even the students coming from the BPL category should get educational facilities as private educational institutions through converged means of ICDS and pre-schooling system. She added that more model ICDS centres would come up at the remotest areas of the state in upcoming days bringing up a progressive change in the education sector.
She added constructive initiative taken by West District in regard to the establishment of model ICDS centre having kindergarten facilities will act as a stepping stone for other districts as well to delve into such productive effort", she said.
DC (West) Shri.Karma R. Bonpo in his address informed that ICDS centre having facility of kindergarten section was initiated to create a convergence between ICDS and pre-schooling facilities such as lower and upper kindergarten. He added that the objective behind the establishment of ICDS centre having the kindergarten facility was to ensure convergence between ICDS and pre-schooling services to facilitate the students to assess quality education in an easy way. He further informed that through ICDS centre immunization and nutrition services for the children would be initiated. Expressing his worry over decreasing birth rate in the State, he informed that lack of enrollment of children in ICDS centre was an alarming factor that may lead to the closure of many ICDS centres in the State. ICDS centres have been affected due to lack of children's enrollment either due to decreasing birth rate in the state or people preference of private institutions, he said. He also asserted that similar kind of ICDS centres having kindergarten facilities would be replicated in other rural parts of West Sikkim after proper discussions with the Government of Sikkim and education department once the mission becomes successful. He mentioned that ensuring quality education by strengthening ICDS centres should be given priority.
Government Contractor Shri Narayan Khatiwada who had executed ICDS centre's construction project, Mrs Seema Subba AWW Dentam ICDS, Mrs Phumden Subba AWW Pelling ICDS and Shri Hom Bahadur Karki who donated his private residency for running ICDS, were felicitated in the event today.
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