Preschool Quality in Delhi: What Makes It Functionally Safe?
- Oct. 24, 2025, 5:18 p.m.
A new study by Jamia Millia Islamia researchers shows that Delhi government preschools outperform Delhi private preschools in infrastructure quality, as private schools top in hygiene. Anganwadi centres lag in all parameters, spotlighting gaps in early childhood education. Data collection happened between Jan and Mar 2023. The study examined 45 preschools published in the Discover Education journal, such as 15 private, 15 Anganwadi, and 15 government centres, assessing hygiene and sanitation (WASH) practices, physical infrastructure, curriculum, child safety, and classroom processes.
1. Government preschools are top in infrastructure
The researchers discovered that government preschools have higher quality infrastructure compared to private preschools, which indicates mixed quality, whereas Anganwadi centres were rated lowest. They assigned this to private and government preschools associated with senior secondary or primary school infrastructures, letting them access important resources like electricity, storage, ventilation, lighting, and adequate outdoor and indoor spaces. On the other hand, Anganwadi centres often lack ample ventilation, outdoor or indoor space.
2. Hygiene stays ‘average’ across all
The study observed that all kinds of preschools showed “average” WASH patterns. Private preschools did somewhat better than government ones, as Anganwadi centres rated lowest, frequently proving poor hygiene and sanitation practices. Researchers related this to better handling and resource access in private buildings, whereas Anganwadi centres clambered in spite of being a part of Anganwadi hubs, where operational hygiene practices were often missing.
3. Government teachers are more engaged
Government preschools performed better than many private preschools in classroom procedures. Mainly, Anganwadi centres expressed average quality, with teachers frequently failing to offer speaking chances, use the mother tongue efficiently, or call students by name. Many preschools carried on random activities without timetables, depending purely on indoor processes, and saw only 50 to 75% children's involvement due to high student-teacher ratios. The use of activity-based learning, learning-teaching materials, and encouragement of good habits and psychosocial activities remained fixed.
4. Safety is strong in government and private schools
The research found that most private and government preschools maintained better safety measures, as Anganwadi centres lagged behind them. Government preschools outperformed private schools a bit, because both are connected to bigger school infrastructure, making authorities prioritise student safety. Both kinds had supervised child pick-up, handled cleanliness, building safety and first-aid facilities. Rented Anganwadi or standalone centres struggled to meet these standards. Only 2 were rated “good,” 11 “average,” and 2 “poor” of 15 Anganwadi centres. In the meantime, 13 private and 14 government preschools obtained a “good” rating, with none falling below “average.”
5. All determinations
Researchers resolved that private and government preschools function well in safety, classroom processes, and infrastructure, while most Anganwadi centres function at average quality throughout all variables. They highlighted the immediate requirement to enhance curriculum delivery, child-friendly environments, and WASH practices throughout all preschool kinds. Building up these areas will help accomplish policy objectives and sustainable development goals, assuring preschools offer an optimum environment for students’ growth.
