Psychology department of Utkal University is planning to start PG and Diploma courses in early childhood education (ECE) guidance and counselling.
These courses will be a part of the agenda of the university’s Center of Excellence on Early Childhood Development (CoE ECD) in partnership with Unicef for the period of 2018 to 2022 for sustaining quality efforts in early childhood development. A total of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for the project.
Aim of the programme is to conduct research, study and capacity building of front-line workers like Anganwadi workers and health activists on early child development. Unicef of the United Nations will provide resource to the center to hold the study, research and other training works.
The centre opened in the psychology department will conduct various studies on the children for th age group of 0-8 years. It will suggest the government through its research findings to take necessary steps for the development of children. It will also prepare training modules for capacity building of people come in contact with the children and their parents.
The PG and diploma courses on early childhood care and education will empower the students to conduct study and research on ECE, guidelines and counseling. They can document good practices in childhood care, said Bhaswati Patnaik, head of the psychology department.
She said the department has submitted a proposal to start these courses before the university. After getting approval from the university authorities, the courses will be provided from Utkal University’s rural campus at Chandikhole, she added.