Maharashtra to Introduce New Law for Pre-Primary Education
The Maharashtra government will soon regulate private kindergartens and anganwadis through a new legislative framework. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which mandates the inclusion of children aged three to six years into the formal education system.
On Wednesday, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse announced that a comprehensive law was being prepared to govern early childhood education. He stated,
“We are working on a comprehensive law to bring pre-primary education into the mainstream. The draft has been sent to the law and judiciary department for review.”
Shift from Traditional Schooling Age
Traditionally, formal education in India began when children turned six. However, NEP 2020 revised this structure by bringing younger children—ages 3 to 6—into the education framework. As a result, states now need systems to monitor and support early education.
To implement this shift effectively, Maharashtra has developed digital platforms to track and regulate early childhood centres.
New Portals to Register Pre-Primary Centres
The state government launched two digital platforms to aid the process:
- Maha School GIS Mobile App
- Pre-School Registration Portal
These portals were virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. Both tools aim to centralize and streamline information about all pre-primary education providers in the state.
Features and Benefits of the Registration System
The registration process is available through the ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) tab on the state education department’s website:
📎 education.maharashtra.gov.in
Key objectives behind mandatory registration include:
- Centralized Information
All pre-primary institutions will be listed in one place for easy access and governance. - Policy Implementation
Accurate data will help the government develop effective policies for early education. - Public Awareness
Citizens can identify available pre-primary centres in their locality. - Workforce Estimation
The government can evaluate the capacity and staffing requirements of this sector.
Strengthening Early Childhood Learning
By initiating this regulation, Maharashtra aims to bring transparency and accountability to pre-primary education. This step will also help standardize the quality of learning for children aged 3 to 6, ensuring their smooth integration into formal schooling.
The move also supports national education goals, contributing to long-term improvements in foundational learning outcomes across the state.
