Author Description

The report argues for an integrated and life cycle approach to child development and basic education of children. It finds that while India has in the last few decades made considerable progress in ensuring child survival and basic education, there is much that remains to be done. The report illustrates using quantitative and qualitative data that such major indices of the Indian child's development as maternal mortality, birthweight, immunization, nutrition level, and basic education, as also existing policy interventions for the child, compare unfavourably with other developing countries. Conceptualized and written by eminent early childhood development experts in consultation with noted Indian professionals, this report is essential for social scientists, scholars and researchers in the field of child development and childhood studies, educationists, policy-planners, and activists.