The Delhi government will introduce art-based learning at childcare centres to help children overcome any past trauma, Women and Child Development Minister Atishi said on Wednesday.

The government will also extend its 'Mission Buniyaad' programme to its childcare institutions so that the residents' foundational skills can be strengthened and they can easily adapt to mainstream education, she added.

The Delhi government's 'Mission Buniyaad' aim to improve learning skills of children in state and civic body-run schools.

All Delhi government-run childcare institutions will be upgraded and strengthened to provide better remedial care and protect the wellbeing of its residents. Atishi on Wednesday also held a review meeting regarding the matter with department officials.

She said, "Children who come to childcare institutions have traumatic pasts. It is very important for such children to receive special care in order to forget their past experiences and integrate into mainstream society.

"In this direction, the (Chief Minister Arvind) Kejriwal government is working to upgrade its childcare institutions."

The minister said the Delhi government is committed to strengthening the basic foundational skills in children.

"The government will also introduce skill education and art-based learning in these institutions to help children in institutional care become more self-reliant and emotionally sound," she added.

Speaking about the integration of art-based learning in childcare institutions, Atishi noted that children admitted in these places have special needs.

"To overcome the trauma of the past they need to be engaged in various activities that can help them relieve their stress. Keeping this need of the children in mind, the government will introduce art-based learning in childcare institutions too to help them express their emotions explicitly," she said.

Along with new learning activities, the Kejriwal government will also focus on the mindset change of the staff members employed at the institutions and provide them with expert training so that they can take better care of the residents. This will increase their sensitivity towards the needs of children in distress, Atishi added.

The Delhi government currently operates 25 childcare institutions, including 16 homes for those aged between six and 18, an SAA for children aged zero to six, three observation homes, one special home, two places of safety and two aftercare homes.

At the facilities, the children are provided with facilities such as food, shelter and medicine, drug de-addiction services, formal and informal education as per their needs, recreational activities, mental health services, vocational training and legal aid.

- With PTI Input