The central government has directed all states and union territories to fix the minimum age for admission in Class 1 at 6 years.  Currently, there is a disparity amongst states at the minimum set age for admission in Grade 1, while states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal follow the 6-year criteria certain others like Delhi, Rajasthan, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu allow admission even at the age for 5 years leading to an irregularity in the higher education.

Parents and teachers alike have welcomed the decision believing that the move will now reduce the academic pressure on these tiny tots. As per the National Education Policy (NEP), the foundational stage consists of five years of learning opportunities for all children (between 3 to 8 years), consisting of three years in preschool followed by Classes 1 and 2.

President of Delhi Parents Association Aparajita Gautam said, “Children will not be focusing only on bookish knowledge from now on. They will not be under the pressure of studies as well. This new policy has been drafted very beautifully and we welcome this step. We have been eagerly waiting for the National Education Policy (NEP) to be implemented.”

The directive came in cognizance with the Supreme Court’s statement last year where the top court stated that keeping the psychological and mental health of children into consideration, the kids should not be sent to schools at a very tender age. For now, the new National Education Policy has been restructuring the existing 10+2 system with that of the 5+3+3+4 system, initiating the benefits of obtaining early childhood education into a formal education model.