Can Technology in Anganwadi Boost Teaching Efficiency & Learning Outcomes?

According to recent data, Anganwadi Teaching workers serve over 7.7 crore children under six years of age nationwide, forming India’s largest early childhood care network. These dedicated workers balance multiple critical duties simultaneously—from nutrition monitoring to health supervision and early education delivery, typically with limited resources.

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 report notes that preschool enrolment increased from 57.1% to 66.8% for children aged three from 2018 to 2024.

Integrating digital technology in Anganwadi centres can transform Early Childhood Education programmes and fill in this gap and facilitate lifelong learning. 

When technology in Anganwadi centres is thoughtfully integrated, it doesn’t just ease teachers’ burdens—it transforms learning experiences for India’s youngest citizens. 

This article explores the scope of this strategic integration of technology to empower these grassroots centres.

Anganwadi Teaching: 6 Formidable Challenges

A state-wise assessment indicated that the proportion of vacancies across centres is over 80%, and 11.45% of centres function from mud-brick buildings. It is understandable that Anganwadi workers are stretched for time and resources. 

Here’s a brief overview of the top challenges in Anganwadi teaching, administration, and other tasks: 

1. Limited Teaching Resources

According to a 2024 study titled Analysis of Anganwadi Centers and Private Preschools in Early Childhood, learning activities remain largely informal and lack structured academic rigour. 

Without a well-defined framework for progressive learning, foundational literacy and numeracy skills often suffer, leaving children unprepared for formal schooling.

Anganwadi workers also lack access to quality Teaching-Learning Material (TLM). This is another huge barrier to the effective implementation of the FLN Goals—designed to strengthen reading, writing, and mathematics in children before the age of 8. 

2. Managing Multiple Responsibilities

Anganwadi workers perform a diverse set of duties, ranging from nutrition monitoring and health checks to managing and delivering early education.

• This makes it challenging for them to manage all responsibilities efficiently. 
• There is also a higher potential for errors, omissions, and duplication. 

3. Paper-Based Record Keeping and Reporting 

Many centres continue to maintain paper records and produce physical reports. The lack of access to technology in Anganwadis impedes efficient and swift data processing and management. 

Manual processes consume time and resources and may also result in errors. 

4. Difficulty in Tracking Individual Child Progress

Every child learns at their own pace and is at a unique proficiency level. However, tracking individual progress is a key challenge for teachers. 

Most Anganwadi centres, unfortunately, lack the tools for data-driven measurement and reporting. 

5. High Student-to-Teacher Ratio

In many regions, Anganwadi Centers are overcrowded, with a single worker responsible for managing a large group of children. 

This imbalance makes it difficult to provide individualised attention, assess children’s unique learning needs, and offer targeted interventions.

6. Language and Communication Barriers With Parents

Teachers may not be proficient in the language of their students. Hence, effective communication with parents can be a challenge, and a barrier to a child’s progress. 

How Technology in Anganwadis Supports Workers

As of now, efforts are being made to digitise Anganwadi Teaching centres. 

For instance, the Poshan Tracker was launched in 2021 to monitor and track the progress of beneficiaries. Plus, corporate initiatives like Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative has modernised over 6,300 Anganwadis across 14 states, incorporating digital technology and infrastructure.

But there are many hills to climb. 

As a case in point, studies suggest that the Common Application Software (CAS) intervention aimed to improve service delivery, but it did not directly address curriculum gaps, leaving foundational literacy and numeracy development under-supported. 

Now, let’s focus on how technology in Anganwadis can empower teachers: 

1. Simplified Administrative Tasks

With the help of digital technology at Anganwadi centres, AWWs can completely automate the administrative workflow.

• Digital attendance and nutrition tracking: Daily tasks such as attendance and tracking of child and adult nutrition can be digitised. 
• Automated report generation: Daily, monthly, and annual reports can be automatically generated, enabling teachers to make data-driven decisions. 
• Real-time data monitoring: Anganwadi workers can monitor data on the go, tracking engagement, learning effectiveness, and progress. 
• Reduced paperwork burden: Digitising the entire process reduces the amount of physical paper reports and documents that Anganwadi workers need to manage.

For instance, In Dumka, 135 Anganwadis have been transformed into digital centres, utilising educational tools like interactive learning modules and cartoon films.

2. Enhanced Teaching Capabilities

With technology integration and thorough training, Anganwadi workers can have access to adequate support and resources required to boost the quality of teaching and results. For instance:

• Access to pre-planned activity ideas: Rather than generating ideas from scratch, the teachers have access to a tried-and-tested set of activities.
• Interactive teaching aids: Children can engage with interactive modules created using diverse multimedia formats. Meaningful interactivity promotes higher engagement, self-learning, and retention rates.
• Age-appropriate digital stories and rhymes: Children can learn via digital storytelling formats and rhymes tailored to their age and proficiency levels.
• Bilingual learning: Access to lessons in a relevant local language enhances learning engagement and results. 

For instance, using the learning super app iPrep’s bilingual interface and content categories simplifies and automates the process.

3. Improved Child Development Monitoring

Teachers can bring measurability to their reporting with the help of smart tools. Here’s how:

• Digital milestone tracking: They can track learning milestones that reflect learners’ progress. 

iPrep Digital Class for Smart Classrooms integrates interactive displays and multimedia content to engage students. It includes cloud-sync reporting, allowing AWWs to monitor student performance.

• Progress visualisation tools: Data visualisation tools enable users to quickly view results and expedite decision-making.
• Early identification of learning gaps: Access to in-depth data analytics paves the way to identify larger trends, such as learning gaps. Teaching strategies can be adjusted based on real-time data. 

Here, too, iDream’s iPrep Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL) platform offers personalised learning experiences tailored to individual student needs.

4. Strengthened Parent Communication

Teachers have access to tools that simplify and expedite the communication process with parents.

• Regular updates sharing: Updates on a child’s progress can be shared in a concise format via channels such as Whatsapp.
• Multilingual communication tools: Language barriers are broken down by providing reports in the parents’ native language. 
• Activity suggestions for home: Teachers can recommend simple activities that can help parents engage children constructively at home. 

Specialised Early Learning Content for Anganwadis

While digital infrastructure provides the foundation, it’s the educational content that drives meaningful learning outcomes. Our specialised early learning content for Anganwadis addresses the specific teaching challenges these centres face.

NCF & NCERT Aligned FLN Content

Our early learning content is strategically aligned with India’s National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and NCERT guidelines, directly supporting the NIPUN Bharat mission. 

This ensures that Anganwadi workers have access to curriculum-compliant materials without having to verify alignment themselves.

The content is structured around:

• 3 developmental goals
• 13 competencies
• 57 learning outcomes

This comprehensive organisation helps Anganwadi workers deliver structured lessons without creating teaching plans from scratch.

Age-Appropriate Content Categories

Our early learning content library includes:

• For Preschool 1 (PS1): Nursery (3-4 Years)
• For Preschool 2 (PS2): LKG (4-5 Years)
• For Preschool 3-Balvatika (PS3): UKG (5-6 Years)
• Three-month “Vidya Pravesh” module to ensure children are prepared for Class 1

Multilingual Support for Inclusive Learning

To break language barriers, our early learning content is available in multiple languages:

• English: 1,673 multimedia lessons, 421 syllabus-aligned books, 215 digital books, and 127 audiobooks
• Hindi: 1,627 multimedia lessons, 310 syllabus-aligned books, 100 digital books, and 177 audiobooks
• Regional languages: Content is also available in Oriya, Gujarati, Bangla, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada

Assessment and Activity Resources

Beyond passive content consumption, our early learning package includes:

• Over 10,000 assessment questions
• More than 639 worksheets for joyful competency-based learning
• Play-based activities aligned with the FLN framework

Watch this video to learn more:Explore iPrep’s FLN Content: Stories, Rhymes & Activities Aligned with NCF— Book a Demo Today!

Anganwadi Learning TV: Balancing Teaching and Other Responsibilities

Learning TV for Anganwadi centres offers a revolutionary approach to help workers balance their multiple responsibilities whilst ensuring quality education.

Why Learning TV is Perfect for Anganwadi Centres

1. Simple, Plug-and-Play Solution

• Requires only one power plug
• Content comes preloaded on a pen drive (no internet needed)
• Functions like a regular TV with intuitive controls

2. Curriculum-Aligned Teaching Material

• All content is aligned with the NCF and ECE curriculum
• Pre-organised video lessons, games, stories, puzzles, and activities
• Structured for minimal preparation time

3. Flexible Setup Options

• Compatible with smart TVs, LED screens, projectors, or Interactive Flat Panels
• Adaptable to centre needs, teacher comfort, and budget constraints

How Does Learning TV Empower Anganwadi Workers

Here’s how anganwadi workers can improve the education at their centres through the TV:

Continuous Learning During Administrative Tasks

When workers need to handle administrative responsibilities, children can remain engaged with structured learning content on the Learning TV. This ensures learning doesn’t stop even when the worker’s attention is divided.

Creating a Calm Learning Environment

By keeping children engaged with interactive content, Learning TV helps create a more structured and peaceful atmosphere, reducing distractions and enabling more effective classroom management.

Interactive Group Learning

It facilitates group activities where children can learn together, enhancing social skills whilst developing foundational literacy and numeracy competencies.

Supporting Socio-Emotional Development

Beyond academics, our content includes modules on Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Health and Physical Well-being (HPW), helping workers teach good habits and positive behaviours through engaging content.

Technology in Anganwadi Centres: Key Partnership Parameters for Implementation

When partnering with educational solutions providers, Anganwadis must consider the following factors:

Offline Functionality Requirements

Due to poor networks, internet connectivity may fluctuate, especially in centres located in remote villages. So, a robust learning management system must facilitate offline functionalities such as content access and administrative updates. 

For instance, iPrep’s offline capabilities enable learning in all environments. 

Device Durability Needs

The devices used by Anganwadi workers must be resistant to wear and tear, able to function in diverse and harsh weather conditions and be resistant to mechanical stress. 

Hence, the choice of devices is an important aspect of implementation. 

Simple, Intuitive Interfaces

Users such as workers, children, and parents, must be able to engage with learning interfaces, seamlessly. Hence, they must be user-friendly, intuitive, and interactive. 

Customisation of interfaces is also a key ingredient to programme success. 

Local Language Support

All devices and learning programmes must be aligned to remove language barriers via local language support. 

For instance, iPrep offers digital content in Hindi and English. It further customises content in regional languages such as Oriya, Gujarati, Bangla, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. 

Alignment With NEP 2024 Guidelines 

The educational content must be aligned with the National Education Policy’s specific guidelines for Early Childhood Education. This enables children to keep pace with their upcoming educational friends. 

For instance, the curriculum must include aspects such as play, activity, and inquiry-based learning. 

Technology in Anganwadi: Some Practical Next Steps

The digital transformation process must be systematic and include the following steps: 

1. Assessing Technology Readiness

Centres must be assessed for their technological readiness to make the shift to an automated and digitised approach to learning. 

2. Training Requirements

Anganwadi teachers need to be trained in various aspects such as digital literacy, interactive learning methodologies, usage of Data Analytics, and superior parental communication. 

​iDream Education is committed to empowering teachers through comprehensive training programs. For example, the experiential teacher training focuses on equipping AWWs with the skills necessary to effectively integrate technology into classrooms.

Additionally, the iPrep platform includes animated video lessons, interactive quizzes, and simulations designed to engage young learners so that Anganwadi teachers can adopt interactive teaching methods.

3. Implementation Approach

The implementation process must ensure the non-disruption of daily educational programmes. All systems must be checked and tested for proper functionality, and the staff must be trained to use them effectively. 

4. Support System Setup

Once the implementation process is complete and the centres begin using the system, partners must provide the necessary support systems.

Final Note

As education in India gradually embraces digitisation, Anganwadis, which perform important roles in these areas, must not be left behind. 

A strong thrust on integrating digital technology in Anganwadis is a massive investment for the country’s future and mass education. 

By partnering with iDream Education, Anganwadis can make the shift, seamlessly, in turn enabling universal access to early learning. 

Our tailor-made programmes, such as iPrep Digital Class can deliver many benefits, including:

• Engaged Learning
• Personalised learning paths
•  Offline learning functionalities 
• Multi-lingual interface 
• Increased learning effectiveness rate

To learn more about how we can help Anganwadis across India, contact us now!

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