NewKerala.com

Six States Defy National Age Rule for Class 1 Admissions, Risking Policy Goals

Six states and UTs, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, continue to defy the central government's directive to set the minimum age for Class 1 admission at six years. The mandate, based on the National Education Policy 2020, aims to strengthen early childhood education by placing children aged 3-8 in a foundational learning stage. Despite repeated notices from the Education Ministry, these regions have not aligned their admission norms, while 30 others have complied. This non-compliance threatens the uniform implementation of a key NEP reform designed to improve long-term learning outcomes.

Key Points: 6 States Yet to Enforce 6-Year Age Rule for Class 1 Admission

  • 30 states have complied
  • NEP 2020 mandates age 6+
  • Foundational stage is 3-8 years
  • Centre issued repeated directives
2 min read

Tamil Nadu, Kerala among six states, UTs yet to enforce 6 years' mandate for Class 1 admission

Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and Chhattisgarh have not aligned with the national mandate for Class 1 admission at age 6+, per NEP 2020.

"The policy is very clear. Admission to Grade I has to be at six years of age. - Government Source"

By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, January 2

Six States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala, have yet to implement the 6-year minimum age criterion for admission to Class 1.

As many as 30 states and UTs have already aligned their admission norms with the policy, sources told ANI.

In 2023, the education ministry issued a directive to states and UTs to admit students to Class 1 only at the age of "6+" years, instead of the earlier practice of "5+" years, as per the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Some states continue to follow disparate age criteria for Class 1 admissions.

"The policy is very clear. Admission to Grade I has to be at six years of age, and States and UTs have been asked to strictly align their admission norms accordingly," a source said.

"So far 30 states and UT have implemented the rule, but Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puduchery, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have not implemented the directives yet," the source added.

The age criterion is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places children aged three to eight in the foundational stage of schooling. Under the revised 5+3+3+4 structure, the foundational stage includes three years of pre-school education followed by two years of primary schooling.

Until the NEP 2020, children aged 3 to 6 were not formally covered under the 10+2 schooling structure. The policy notes that a strong foundation from age three is aimed at improving learning outcomes, development, and overall well-being.

In 2024, the centre again wrote to the states and UTs regarding the matter.

In the last notice dated February 15, 2024, the Ministry of Education reiterated that the age of admission to Grade 1 should be 6+ years. The notice asked all states and UTs to comply with the directive and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance from the upcoming academic session.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is concerning. If 30 states have managed to align, why can't these six? NEP 2020 was passed years ago. Consistency across India is important for a national education framework. Delaying implementation creates confusion for parents who may move between states. 🏫
A
Arjun K
Kerala often has its own successful education model. Maybe they have valid pedagogical reasons for their timeline. The focus should be on learning outcomes, not just bureaucratic compliance. Has anyone studied if starting at 6+ actually leads to better results in the long run?
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this from an international perspective. Many countries start formal schooling later. The emphasis on a strong foundation from age 3 is good, but the transition needs careful planning. Hope the states and centre can collaborate on a smooth rollout.
V
Vikram M
The real issue is infrastructure! Do we have enough quality anganwadis and pre-schools to handle the extra year of foundational care? In my village, the anganwadi is understaffed. Policy is good on paper, but implementation requires resources first.
K
Kavya N
As a teacher, I see both sides. Some 5-year-olds are truly ready, others are not. A blanket age rule might help standardize, but we lose flexibility. Perhaps a assessment-based readiness system would be better than a strict age cut-off? 🤔

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50