Maa-Badi / Maa-Badi Day-Care Centre Scheme

The scheme "Maa-Badi / Maa-Badi Day-Care Centre Scheme" was introduced by the Tribal Area Development Department, Government of Rajasthan, during the year 2007–2008. It aims to provide basic primary education, nutritional support, and awareness on health and sanitation to out-of-school children from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Kathodi, and Sahariya communities in remote tribal areas. Under this scheme, free education (classes 1st to 4th), nutritious meals, uniforms, and learning materials are provided to tribal children aged 6 to 12 years residing in areas where the nearest school is 1.5–2 km away. The scheme is implemented by the Tribal Area Development Project Office with community participation and employs local educated tribal youth and women. > Objectives: - Enroll 30 tribal children aged 6 to 12 years at each Maa-Badi Centre, giving preference to girls. - Provide free breakfast and mid-day meals to enrolled children. - Distribute uniforms, shoes, socks, ties, belts, and sweaters to each child. - Prevent migration of children of agricultural laborers by ensuring consistent education. - Involve mothers of enrolled children in food preparation on a rotational basis with honorarium. - Link tribal women to adult literacy programs through Maa-Badi centres. - Create awareness about government schemes on health, nutrition, and sanitation. - Operate centres through local Village Development Committees with oversight from technical staff.