New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia is setting up a Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research that will offer several courses including a doctoral degree in the subject, with the aim of helping children from the underprivileged sections of society.

"The objective of the centre is to meet the challenges to holistic development of young children, particularly those who belong to communities that have been historically deprived, like the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, minorities, and children with special needs as also those affected by natural disasters and emergencies,” a spokesman of the varsity told IANS Monday.

The centre will be opened Tuesday by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. The official said the broad focus of the centre will be to develop it as a national resource in early childhood development with emphasis on child rights.

“The centre will offer diploma and postgraduate courses and research opportunities in early childhood development and will help bridge the gap between theory, research, policy and practice,” the spokesman added.

-- IANS