Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

GVMC launches ‘Balyam’

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on Friday launched “Balyam,” a pre-school programme for children from three to five years of age from the economically weaker sections and the below poverty line.

Addressing a gathering after the inauguration at the primary school at Kota Veedhi, Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena described ‘Balyam’ as a new experiment and new endeavour aimed at giving children of the poor a pre-school foundation to put them on an equal footing with their counterparts going to public schools. Interest in education would be created through playschool methods like singing dancing and visual media. The children will be provided mid-day meal. Thirty teachers were trained by All India Institute of Local Self-Government here and ‘Sodhana,’ at Cheepurupalli that has been implementing ‘Balabadi,’ successfully in the rural areas. The programme will be implemented in all the 72 divisions in the next two months. As of now 62 centres have been identified.

Mr. Meena, whose brainchild is ‘Balyam,’ said the programme had been approved after a marathon discussion while it was being formulated. Each centre would be given Rs.50,000 for furniture, uniform and play equipment. He thanked Worldvision for its support. Worldvision had announced a contribution of Rs.20 lakhs for 20 centres. It has given a computer, 30 education CDs and uniform and plates for the children at the Kota Veedhi centre.

Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao who inaugurated the programme said the governing body fully backed the programme designed by Mr.Meena. Visakhapatnam One MLA Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao described the programme as one with a vision. Chief Minister Rajasekhar Reddy was also giving importance to health by launching programmes like “Arogyasri,” he said. Balyam Project Officer Vijay Kumar said the pre-school programme intended to enthuse children with 72 novel modules.

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