IAS officer in UP sends 3-year-old daughter to government Anganwadi school: 'Parents should not hesitate'

IAS officer enrols daughter in government anganwadi. (Image: @ChitrakootDm/ @sirajnoorani/x)

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s development, yet many parents in India still prefer private schools or pre-schools for their young children. To highlight the growing quality of government-run institutions, a senior official in Uttar Pradesh has taken a step that sends a clear message to the community.

Pulkit Garg, the District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, has enrolled his three-year-old daughter, Siya, in a government anganwadi centre. The move is part of an effort to encourage parents to make use of government education services.

Garg admitted Siya to the playgroup at an anganwadi attached to a government composite school in the Naya Bazaar area of Karvi. As per reports, he personally visited the school and completed the admission formalities around four days ago.

Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Garg said the quality of government education had improved significantly. “The situation is no longer what it used to be. The quality of education has continuously improved, and there is no shortage of resources. If an IAS officer can educate his child in a government institution, ordinary parents should not hesitate,” he said.

He added that perceptions about government schools and anganwadi centres have changed, particularly regarding infrastructure, learning materials and the overall environment.

Garg also stressed that in a child’s early years, nutrition, health, values and a safe environment are very important. He added that anganwadi centres are doing a good job of providing these essentials while helping children learn and grow.

He also urged parents, villagers and officials to move beyond social biases and place trust in the public education system. “Children here receive education along with values, safety and care. The system will become stronger only when people show faith in it,” he said.

Since joining the anganwadi, Siya has been actively participating in classroom activities. Videos circulating on social media show her playing with toys, taking part in learning exercises and dancing to poems with other children, drawing attention online.

Meanwhile, Pulkit Garg is serving his first posting as District Magistrate and has completed around four months in Chitrakoot.