ICDS Training Programme

Training is the most crucial element in the ICDS Scheme, as the achievement of the programme goals depends upon the effectiveness of frontline workers in improved delivery of packages under ICDS. The importance of training and continuous capacity building of the ICDS functionaries in ICDS is well recognized as vital for success of the programme. From the inception of the ICDS scheme, the Government of India has formulated a comprehensive training strategy for the ICDS functionaries. The World Bank assisted ‘Project Udisha’, which was launched in the year 1999 initially for five years, ended on March 31, 2006 after 1.5 years of extension. After the completion of Project Udisha, ICDS Training programme is being continued with domestic resources and as per the procedures and norms prevailing during Project Udisha.

Some of the salient features of the ICDS training programme are:

Training decentralized

Implementation by the State/UT Governments

Central Government releases grants only to State/UT Government

Requirement of training decided by State/UT Government

Training calendar prepared by State/UT Government

State Training Action Plan (STRAP) formulated by State/UT Government – which is approved by Central Government

On the basis of approved STRAP, grants are released to State/UT Government

Training programmes for various field functionaries in ICDS are organized through:

  • Anganwadi Workers Training Centres (AWTCs) for the training of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers;
  • Middle Level Training Centres (MLTCs) for the training of Supervisors and Instructors of AWTCs;
  • State Training Institute for the training of Instructors of MLTCs and CDPOs/ACDPOs in Tamil Nadu and
  • National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and its four Regional Centres (in Guwahati, Lucknow, Bangalore and Indore) for training of CDPOs/ACDPOs and Instructors of MLTCs.

State Training Action Plans (STRAPs): Under the ICDS Training programme, all States/UTs are required to submit State Training Action Plans (STRAPs) delineating the details of all types of training programmes for various ICDS functionaries, which are to be taken up during the financial year. STRAPs for 2014-15 have been received from 30 States/UTs (to date) and the same in r/o 25 States have been approvedat an estimated cost of Rs. 178.65 crore under regular training (induction, job and refresher).

Infrastructure for ICDS Training: There is a countrywide infrastructure for the training of ICDS functionaries, viz. (i) Anganwadi Workers Training Centres (AWTCs) for the training of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers; (ii) Middle Level Training Centres (MLTCs) for the training of Supervisors and Instructors of AWTCs; (iii) State Training Institute for the training of Instructors of MLTCs and CDPOs/ACDPOs in Tamil Nadu and (iv) National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and its four Regional Centres (in Guwahati, Lucknow, Bangalore and Indore) for training of CDPOs/ACDPOs and Instructors of MLTCs. As on 1.04.2014, a total of 498 AWTCs were operational across States/UTs apart from 30 MLTCs. About 80% of these AWTCs are run by NGOs.

Under the strengthened and restructured ICDS Scheme, training and capacity building are further envisaged to be strengthened inter-alia through (i) setting up of training cells at State levels (ii) setting up of State Training Institutes for ICDS in 10 States (iii) revision and development of course curricula/modules/training and learning materials (iv) up-gradation of training facilities (v) Training needs assessment.

A National Level Consultation was held on October 3-4, 2013 to devise ways and means to further revamp and strengthen the ICDS training programme so as to face the challenges of catering to the enhanced training requirement in an efficient and timely manner. It is proposed to considerably scale up the number of AWTCs (from the present 498 to about 1200) and MLTCs (from present 30 to 120) with special emphasis on all districts having at least one AWTC and all States two MLTCS each in the next two years. In addition, the following are being considered:

i)Collaboration with institutions and national/local NGOs/Voluntary Action Groups (VAGs) under the Training component.

ii)Greater involvement of NIPCCD & its regional centres for development of training curricula, identification of master trainers with linkage of appropriate skill training and working out partnerships;

iii)Greater emphasis on newer technology and methodology such as Video Conferencing, audio-visual aids, use of Gyanvani, Gyandarshan (IGNOU),Mobile Telephony-cum-academy and ICT/ Science &Technology/Edusat etc.

Two types of regular training are imparted to Anganwadi functionaries:

  • Job Training (once during service period) (26 working days)
  • Refresher Training (in-service,once in every two years)(5 working days)

Apart from the above, those functionaries, who on their engagement cannot be deputed for job training course, are given a short-duration Induction Training (6 days) in order to familiarize them with the objectives of ICDS scheme.

Financial Status: Against the approved STRAP cost of Rs. 196.60 crore for the ICDS training programme during 2013-14, an amount of Rs. 142.16 crore was released to the States/UTs. The total expenditure reported by the States was Rs. 114.33 crore.

This year, STRAP proposals have been approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 178.65 crore and an amount of Rs. 77.38 crore has been released to the States as 1st instalment for the current FY.

Monitoring & Supervision of ICDS Training Programme: Implementation progress in ICDS Training programme is reviewed at the central level with the major States from time to time. In addition, States/UTs have been suggested the following measures for strengthening monitoring and supervision of the training programme:

  • Conducting quarterly meetings at the State level with all AWTCs/MLTCs to review the implementation of training programmes as per the training calendar and State Training Action Plans (STRAPs);
  • Ensuring timely release of grants to the training centres;
  • Close monitoring of training programmes through regular visits by the concerned officials from the State HQs/District Offices;
  • Ensuring timely deputation and participation of the functionaries to the training programmes; and
  • Ensuring timely submission of quarterly progress reports (QPRs) to GoI.

State-wise details of Anganwadi Workers’ Training Centres (AWTCs) and Middle Level Training Centres (MLTCs) operational as on 1.04.2014

S. No / State/UT / Number of operational AWTCs / Number of operational MLTCs
1 / Andhra Pradesh / 63 / 2
2 / Arunachal Pradesh / 5 / 1
3 / Assam / 26 / 1
4 / Bihar / 61 / 2
5 / Chhattisgarh / 16 / 1
6 / Goa / 0 / 0
7 / Gujarat / 19 / 1
9 / Haryana / 10 / 1
8 / Himachal Pradesh / 5 / 0
10 / Jammu & Kashmir / 9 / 2
11 / Jharkhand / 19 / 0
12 / Karnataka / 22 / 1
13 / Kerala / 15 / 1
14 / Madhya Pradesh / 26 / 2
15 / Maharashtra / 33 / 2
16 / Manipur / 4 / 0
17 / Meghalaya / 2 / 1
18 / Mizoram / 1 / 0
19 / Nagaland / 1 / 0
20 / Odisha / 26 / 1
21 / Punjab / 9 / 1
22 / Rajasthan / 20 / 2
23 / Sikkim / 1 / 0
24 / Tamil Nadu / * / 1
25 / Tripura / 5 / 0
26 / Uttar Pradesh / 66 / 4
27 / Uttarakhand / 6 / 0
28 / West Bengal / 22 / 3
29 / A & N Islands / 1 / 0
30 / Chandigarh / 0 / 0
31 / Daman & Diu / 0 / 0
32 / D & N Haveli / 0 / 0
33 / Delhi / 5 / 0
34 / Lakshadweep / 0 / 0
35 / Puducherry / 0 / 0
TOTAL / 498 / 30

*Tamil Nadu does not have any AWTC since training is conducted through CDPO/Supervisors.