In a surprising finding, preschools operated by the Delhi government have surpassed private preschools in most of the six evaluated components, including physical infrastructure, WASH practices, child-friendly environments, curriculum implementation, classroom processes, and safety, according to research conducted by Jamia Millia Islamia. Overall, government preschools received the highest ratings, with over half classified as ‘good.’ Private preschools were rated closely behind, while Anganwadis predominantly fell into the ‘average’ category, with one being rated ‘poor,’ as indicated by the 2025 study. Researchers from the Department of Education at Jamia assessed 45 preschools in the capital, comprising 15 each from government, private, and Anganwadi settings in 2023.
The results were published in the journal Discover Education (2025) and titled ‘A quantitative study on quality of physical infrastructure, WASH practices, preschool education and safety in Anganwadi centers, government preschools and private preschools in Delhi.’ The assessment focused on six components: physical infrastructure; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices; child-friendly environments; curriculum implementation; classroom processes; and safety. Utilizing the Anganwadi Assessment Scale, a recognized evaluation tool for early childhood programs, the scores were categorized into three groups: ‘poor,’ ‘average,’ and ‘good.’ Regarding physical infrastructure, the study revealed that 13 out of 15 government preschools had ‘good’ infrastructure, compared to eight private preschools and four Anganwadi centers.
Ten Anganwadis were rated ‘average,’ and one was ‘poor.’ The study attributed this disparity to many Anganwadis operating from rented or standalone buildings with limited space, ventilation, and resources. In contrast, government preschools, often affiliated with Sarvodaya schools, benefited from superior infrastructure and amenities. In terms of WASH practices, none of the government preschools received a ‘good’ score, with all rated ‘average.’ Among the private preschools, 12 were ‘average’ and three ‘good.’ For Anganwadis, 11 were ‘average,’ three ‘good,’ and one ‘poor.’ The presence of toilets, dustbins, and water facilities was noted, but functionality was inconsistent. The researchers emphasized that mere availability does not equate to functionality.
