The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched on 2nd October,1975 by the Government of India (GOI). It is one of the best efforts in the world to benefit children and women. Since 1975, the government is implementing, improving and expanding a most ambitious and comprehensive scheme to increase the survival rate and enhance the health, nutrition, and to arrest school dropouts. This scheme is India's gift to her own future--her own children.

The most significant role in ICDS, is played by Aanganwadi workers who are the focal point of implementing all strategies. In order to equip them and to enhance their skills, training basic as well as in-service is inevitable. The programme vision realises the need for evolving a community based approach which would serve as a liaison in the training chain.

The need to train these frontline workers i.e. the AWWs, is of utmost priority. Before 1996, the training pattern was in three phases and in the first phase, the AWWs were trained for 56 days . The recruitment and training of AWWs could not meet a match and as a result a backlog of over 10,000 untrained AWWs got piled up . In order to overcome this situation, a 15 days, phase-I, Pre-Induction Training (PIT) was introduce in 1996.

The present study has been conducted in order to evaluate the Pre-Induction Training. The sample for the study was constituted by 1000 Anganwari workers selected from Bastar, Betul, Bilaspur, Dhar, Khandwa, Mandla, Morena and Shahdol districts.

The study had the following objectives:

1. To examine that to what extent this strategy of initial induction training prior to formal induction training, as laid down under the scheme, has fulfilled its objectives.

2. To analyse the strength and weaknesses of the strategy of innovative training.

3. To examine and review the processes adopted for imparting training to Trainers, C.D.P.Os., Supervisors, A.W.Ws. etc.

4. To examine the training contents, methodology, duration and the capacity of Trainers and Training centres.

5. To suggest measures for making the training more effective and qualitative, considering the requirements and perceptions of the Trainees.

The scope of this study is limited to the impact assessment of the training imparted to the anganwari workers for 15 days i.e. the Pre- induction training; and the assessment of the trainer's performance, infrastructure available for training, course contents, vis-à-vis duration, methods used for transfer of learning etc. This study also aims at suggesting improvements for the better utilisation and implementation of this Pre -Induction training programme.

The rural sample comprises of one randomly selected district each from Indore, Gwalior Rewa, Bilaspur, and Bhopal divisions, in order to make the sample representative. Two new projects from each of the selected 8 districts have been randomly selected. From these 16 projects, 60-65 A.W.Ws (those who had completed the 15 days training) were chosen as a sample, in order to collect information from 1000 A.W.Ws. Apart from this, information has been collected from Trainers, Supervisors, C.D.P.Os., A.W.T.Cs., beneficiaries and community members too.

The study revealed that the innovative approach of training (PIT) adopted by Women and Child Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh has following Strengths and Weakness.

• Recognition, confidence and self-esteem among the Anganwari Workers has developed.

• The Pre-Induction Training has considerably been able to familiarise the trainees with the objectives of ICDS.

• Clarity about roles and responsibilities.

• Made aware regarding using the local language.

• High appreciation about immunization.

• Aware about important stake holders of ICDS.

• Well informed about malnutrition and its consequences.

• Aware regarding supplementary nutrition and availability of its local alternatives.

• Pre-school education - most sought-after activity.

• Casted a positive impact on all the AWWs.

• Seeking the support of addescent girls wherever the scheme is in operation.

• High efforts to tap local resources.

• AWWs are playing a pivitol role role in making the community aware.

• PIT has ignited creativity for extending the programme out reach.

• Aware about Importance of record management.

• On the whole It has articulated the AWWs.

• High transfer of learning for few topics like heath education, PSE etc.

• Most of the AWWs are satisfied with PIT.

Although, ' Knowledge is power', but there is no short cut to success. That is why the PIT suffers from certain weaknesses like:

Based on the strength and weaknesses, certain opportunities have emerged through which the PIT could be strengthened further:

• It has started attracting young people.

• Attracted quite a number of well qualified women.

• Promoting practises of self/ guided learning.

• Rationalising time distribution of topics.

• Developing effective feedback mechanisms.

• Homogenous entry behavior may improve the training effectiveness.

• Formulation of area specific strategy for training.

• Up gradation of training module based on feed back.

• Evolving action plan for TOT.

• Promoting joyful learning by providing additional facilities.

However, there are certain threats enveloping the PIT: