ACCHA Launched in AP to Revolutionise Learning at Anganwadis
15 May 2026 9:58 PM IST15 May 2026 9:58 PM IST
The senior government official inaugurated the initiative at the Farmers Training Centre in the Irrigation office in Vijayawada.
Anganwadi building in Andhra Pradesh
VIJThe senior government official inaugurated the initiative at the Farmers Training Centre in the Irrigation office in Vijayawada.The senior government official inaugurated the initiative at the Farmers Training Centre in the Irrigation office in Vijayawada. Addressing Anganwadi workers and officials on the occasion, Surya Kumari described them as the “real backbone” of government welfare schemes, who ensure that benefits reach the last-mile beneficiary.
She praised Anganwadi workers for overcoming several challenges daily, including bringing children to centres, preparing meals, uploading data, and convincing parents about early childhood education. Stressing the need for greater public confidence in Anganwadi centres, the principal secretary said the social attitudes towards institutional delivery systems have changed dramatically over the years. She pointed out that this is leading to nearly 100 per cent deliveries at hospitals.
Surya Kumari said despite inadequate infrastructure, such as lack of toilets and drinking water at some centres, Anganwadi workers are continuing to deliver quality services. She, however, pointed out that while around 11–12 lakh children are expected to be at Anganwadi centres state-wide, only about 8–8.5 lakh are currently enrolled. She expressed the hope that the numbers would rise gradually.
The senior government official requested voluntary organisations, including Srujana and CRISP foundations, to work in coordination with the government and ensure uniformity in training programmes under ACCHA. She appealed to parents to spend more time with their children instead of on mobile phones, saying parental involvement plays a key role in a child’s development.
Surya Kumari said measures such as distribution of induction stoves in NTR district would help reduce the workload of Anganwadi workers. She asked the Anganwadi staff to work in close coordination with ASHA workers, ANMs, and village sarpanches to ensure that Anganwadis become model centres.
Speaking on the occasion, NTR district collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha expressed happiness that significant improvements are visible at Anganwadi centres across the district. However, the aspirational blocks of Penuganchiprolu and Ibrahimpatnam are lagging behind. The collector disclosed that focused development efforts are being carried out in these centres with NITI Aayog’s support.
Women Development and Child Welfare director M. Venugopal Reddy said the state’s 55,746 Anganwadi centres provide nutrition and early education to children. He described the ACCHA project, first launched as a pilot project in Kuppam, as a transformative initiative that strengthens learning through play-based methods.
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