Thursday, May 9

Ministry Of Education Reaffirms The Minimum Age Of Entry To Grade 1 As 6+ Years

Edited by Uzma Parveen
Ministry Of Education Reaffirms The Minimum Age Of Entry To Grade 1 As 6 Years

In its latest notification dated February 15, 2024, the Ministry of Education reaffirmed that the minimum age of entry to Grade 1 should be minimum 6 years old, in accordance with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

As per the instructions, the Centre has asked all States and Union territories to ensure that children who want to enrol in Class 1 satisfy the minimum age requirement of six years starting in the 2024–2025 school year.

According to an earlier notice, in March 2023, also Education Ministry has asked all states to comply with the instruction and take necessary steps ensuring the age criteria of 6+ in the session in 2024-25. “Students can be admitted to Class 1 only at the age of “6+” years instead of the earlier practice of “5+” years, the Education Ministry told States and Union earlier. Currently, several States and schools follow disparate age formulas for Class 1 admissions. Additionally, it asked them to guarantee that all children, whether attending Anganwadi preschools or preschools sponsored or assisted by the government, NGOs, or other private players, had access to three years of high-quality preschool education.

According to the National Education Policy 2020, improving children’s learning in the “foundational stage” ought to be the nation’s top priority. All children (ages 3 to 8) have five years of learning opportunities throughout the foundational period, which comprises of two years of early primary grades I and II and three years of preschool instruction. Thus, the policy encourages children’s learning and growth from preschool through Grade II in a continuous manner.

On October 20, 2022, the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) was also released. With the intention of focusing attention on a comprehensive approach to providing a sound foundation for survival, growth, protection, development, and early learning under the proposed Early Childhood Care and Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has prepared the draft National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the draft National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education (ECE), and the draft Quality Standards in ECCE.

The new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, known as NCF for Foundational Stage, incorporates early childhood care and education for all children aged 3 to 8.

Furthermore, by mandating states and Union Territories (UTs) to enforce this age limit via letters, the MoE has underscored the need of uniformity and national compliance with NEP regulations.