Tripura Anganwadi Workers (AW) and Helpers demanded recognizing the Anganwadi Centres of the State as Pre-Primary Centres as well as upgrading the AWs and Helpers to Pre-Primary teachers through proper trainings.
In support of the demand along with several other demands, Tripura Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association of Tripura Pradesh unit organised a deputation programme at the Directorate of Social Welfare and Social Education Department in Agartala on Monday.
Speaking to the media, Association leaders said, “We are demanding elevation of the AWCs into Pre-Primary Centres as per the National Education Policy 2020. Besides, we are also demanding training of AWs and Helpers to upgrade them as Pre-Primary teachers and helpers.
The Association also demanded recognizing the AWs and Helpers as Government Employees and ‘equal pay for equal job’.
The Association members also demanded increase in pension allowances of the retired AWs and Helpers from existing Rs 750 and Rs 500 to Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively.
The Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association also put forward a slew of demand relating to improving the AWCs and it’s functioning.
“Arrangements of toilets and electricity in all the AWCs are necessary. Besides, our demands included supply of Almirah and utensils to store and distribute baby food”, the Association members said.
In view of hike in prices of different commodities, we are demanding proportionate increase in procurement of goods like egg for the AWs, the Association demanded and added the Feeding programme of the AWCs would be better managed if Feeding Bills are being paid in every one-and-half months.