Sheikh Anees
Srinagar:- Jammu and Kashmir, the Aaya workers engaged under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) component of the Samagra Shiksha programme have quietly emerged as the backbone of the education system. These women, drawn from local communities, play a vital role in shaping the early learning environment and ensuring that the youngest students feel cared for, supported, and motivated to attend school.
Serving as a bridge between home and school, Aaya workers extend motherly care to pre-primary children helping them with hygiene, meals, discipline, and participation in co-curricular activities. Their warmth and personal attention make the school atmosphere friendly and secure, especially for first-time learners.
Most of the Aaya workers are local residents of the villages where they serve. Their close connection with the local community has made them instrumental in motivating parents for new admissions, fresh enrollments, and bringing out-of-school children back into the education system. Their personal engagement and familiarity with families help build trust, ensuring that even the most hesitant parents send their children to school.
One Head of Institution (HOI) of District Ganderbal told Kashmir Reader that the Aaya workers are particularly important in far-flung areas. “In some remote schools where only male teachers are posted, Aaya workers play a vital role, especially in helping young girls understand personal hygiene and the use of sanitary napkins. They make the environment more comfortable and inclusive for everyone,” the official said.
Despite their crucial contribution, Aaya workers often serve under difficult conditions with minimal honorariums and little formal recognition. Many go beyond their assigned duties maintaining cleanliness, supporting mid-day meals, and even escorting children home when needed.
Education activists of Ganderba have urged the government to enhance their wages and provide regular training and welfare benefits. “These women are not just helpers; they are educators in their own right. Their presence directly supports early learning, enrollment drives, and overall school development,” said a local education volunteer from Ganderbal.
Under Samagra Shiksha, the ECCE component aims to provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning. On the ground, it is the Aaya workers who make this vision a reality one child at a time. Their service, care, and local population connection continue to transform schools into safe, nurturing spaces where every child belongs.
