BIHAR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION
BIHAR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION

MAJOR INITIATIVES

Why ECCE (Early Childhood Care & Education)

The National Education Policy was framed in 1986 and modified in 1992. More than three decades have passed since the previous Policy. During this period, significant changes have taken place in our country, society, economy, and the world at large. It is in this context that the education sector needs to gear itself towards the demands of the 21st Century.

ECCE full form is Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), as defined by UNESCO, is the "holistic development of a child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing." ECCE promotes brain development and has positive long-term economic benefits.

ECCE courses can be pursued by those who have the ability to deal with children and have the empathy to take care of them as their own children. They must be hardworking and agile and must pay attention to the specific demands of the children. They must be young, dynamic personalities who are ready to go beyond their means and provide support and care to young children and take care of their health, education, and nutrition.

ECCE course, where ECCE full form is Early Childhood Care and Education, is dedicated to fostering the comprehensive development of children aged birth to eight years, nurturing their physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and creative skills through a variety of play-based activities and learning experiences. It serves as a cornerstone for establishing a sturdy foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

Eligibility criteria for ECCE courses vary based on the level of study, such as, for Diploma/Certificate courses, candidates typically need to have completed Class 10 or 12 from a recognized board, and undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees require completion of Class 12 with a minimum percentage, which varies depending on the institution. While entrance exams are not mandatory for all ECCE programs, some colleges may conduct their entrance tests or consider scores from national-level exams like the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) or the Central Universities Entrance Test (CUCET) for certain programs.