Over 500 Anganwadi workers and helpers staged a protest inside the Social Welfare Department premises in Chennai on Tuesday demanding promotions and filling vacancies in the Anganwadis.
“Promotions are pending to those who joined in 1993. It is mandated that promotions are given to the post of supervisor and if those posts are not vacant then to posts in the social welfare department. This ensures that others can move up. But this move has been pending since November leaving many in limbo,” said T.Daisy, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Anganwadi Employees and Helpers Association.
They further demanded that vacant posts of Anaganwadi workers and helpers be filled across the State soon. “Many Anganwadi teachers are holding additional posts of another Anganwadi. Further, they remain without helpers. So not only do they teach and update the particulars on the app but also have to cook, meet with pregnant mothers and accompany the children to the toilet. How will a teacher be present to teach and take care of other needs?” asked Sonia.T, an Anganwadi teacher in Chennai.
Pointing out the recent case of sexual abuse in an Anganwadi centre in Krishnagiri, Daisy said, “When there is only one teacher with 25 children and have to take a child to the toilet or other such jobs, who will take care of them? How is their security ensured? We are only asking for what is already mandated.”
Tamil Nadu has a total of 54,439 Anganwadi centres. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Women and Child Development as many as 16,680 Anganwadi centres are functioning with only an Anganwadi worker in the State.
The association also demanded that the capturing of photos of mothers and children be eliminated as it was an administrative burden. According to the association members who met with the Commissioner of Social Welfare Department, the department plans to release the promotion list in 15 days.
Published – March 05, 2025 12:59 am IST