The Ministry of Education (MoE) has ordered all states and Union Territories to set Class 1 admission at six years old. The new National Education Policy (NEP) requires all children aged 3 to 8 to attend preschool for three years, followed by Classes 1 and 2.
An MoE official told TOI, “The policy thus promotes seamless learning and development of children from pre-school to class 2. This can only be done by providing three years of quality preschool education to all children in Anganwadis or government, government-aided, private, and NGO-run preschool centres.
Last year, the Supreme Court advised against sending young children to school due to their psychological and mental health. “The ministry has directed state governments and UT administrations to align their age to admission with the policy and provide admission to class 1 at six years and above,” the official said.
At the foundational stage, MoE officials said qualified teachers educated in age- and developmentally-appropriate content and methodology are most critical. The ministry also recommended states to establish and implement a two-year diploma in preschool education (DPSE) programme.
The study stated that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will create the course and oversee its implementation by DIETs.
