13. The system of monitoring and evaluation will be strengthened on the following lines;

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(i) A Management Information System will be evolved for monitoring all ECCE programmes. Information will be collected, compiled, analysed and acted upon at the block/local authority level. The flow of information to different levels (District, State, Centre) will be so planned that control functions at these levels can be performed effectively without delay.

(ii) Assistance will be sought from professional institutions and expert bodies for independent, objective evaluation that can identify gaps and problems and feasible alternatives for remedial action. All types of programmes should be got evaluated by independent agencies once in five years and the reports of the evaluations followed up in order to improve the quality of services.

(iii) In order to assess the contributions of ECCE from time to time an Index of Human Development will be worked out which would include., among others, the following elements:

(a) infant mortality rate;

(b) incidence of malnutrition in the second year of life;

(c) access to early stimulation and education; and

(d) female literacy level.