IAS officer sends daughter to Anganwadi school, shows faith in govt schools
An IAS officer from Chitrakoot, Pulkit Garg, has enroled his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Siya in a government Anganwadi school. He inspected private schools before choosing the local centre he trusted most. The move across social media is seen as a great step towards putting faith in government schools.
The photo shows Chitrakoot District Magistrate Pulkit Garg's daughter Siya eating mid-day meal at her Anganwadi school.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 5, 2026 19:30 IST
Pulkit Garg, District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, has enroled his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Siya in the government Anganwadi near Kavi Ka Dhanush Chowk.
On his first posting in the district, he personally visited several private play schools and Anganwadi centres. After careful evaluation, he decided the government centre offered the best environment, with structured activities, play materials, and nutritious meals for young children.
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Siya now studies and eats her midday meal alongside around 35 other children. The move has caught attention across the district, as many see it as a strong vote of confidence in the public education system.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Mr Garg’s choice highlights how leaders can influence public perception. By enroling his daughter, he is showing that government-run Anganwadis can provide quality early education.
Parents in the district are viewing it as a sign that local officials trust the system and are holding it accountable.
WHY PARENTS STILL PREFER PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Despite government improvements, many families still choose private schools.
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 notes that while Anganwadis remain the largest provider for children aged three and four, while roughly one in three five-year-olds attends private pre-school.
Parents often cite smaller class sizes, English instruction, and perceived quality as reasons to pay for private options.
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ARE IMPROVING
Data from UDISE+ show that government schools and Anganwadis have made progress. Most schools now have drinking water, girls’ toilets, and electricity.
However, access to computers, the internet, and other modern facilities is still limited, which affects parental perception of quality.
WHAT THIS MOMENT MEANS
Garg’s decision may not immediately change the system, but it sets a strong example. When officials demonstrate trust in public services, it encourages parents to consider government schools more seriously.
His example sparks a conversation about improving quality and showing the progress in government early childhood services, so more parents feel confident.
In Chitrakoot, Siya’s simple midday meal on the floor with her classmates has become a small but meaningful sign of faith in public education.
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