Kathmandu, June 30 -- Despite repeated commitments from the government, Early Childhood Development education remains the least prioritised sector with meagre payment to support staff and paltry budget for running the classes for children aged four and five years.

The government's economic survey published prior to the national budget last month shows 35,993 ECD centres--30,097 run by the government and 5,896 privately--are in operation to cater to around one million children across the country. Such centres are run by the support staff who are paid Rs 6,000 per month--Rs 7,200 after 20 percent increment announced in the budget effective from next month.

The money they get is around three times lower than the monthly salary of an office...