Controversy erupts over NEP 2020's six-year age limit for Class 1 admissions

The government's implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's age requirement for Class 1 admissions has outraged hundreds of Bengaluru parents.

Children entering Class 1 must be at least six years old by June 1st of the academic year, according to the rule.

Parents contend that children who had already started their pre-primary education under the former system in the academic year 2021–2022 are adversely impacted by this decision, which was made public in November 2022.

In response to parental objections, the Karnataka BJP government had previously loosened the regulations and permitted students under the age of six to move on to Class 1.

This relaxation was extended to students of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. However, the government later decided to delay full implementation of the age criterion until the 2025-26 academic year.

Now, parents who had enrolled their children in preschool in the 2022-23 academic year are feeling the impact of the sudden policy change, as no further relaxation has been provided.

One of the affected parents, Dr Sagar Srinivas, a medical professional, expressed his frustration with the policy shift.

“My son was born in 2019, and in 2022, we admitted him to pre-KG at NPS Jayanagar based on the prevailing rules. He started Montessori education in May-June 2022, but just a few months later, in November, the government suddenly announced the new age criterion. Now, he has to wait another year before he can enter Class 1, which is nothing but a financial burden on us. Additionally, this will psychologically affect my kid,” he said.

Parents argue that children who were on track to enter Class 1 between the ages of 5 and 6 are now being forced to repeat a year of pre-primary education, which they deem unfair.

“The government should have provided at least a two-year relaxation period for children already in the system,” Srinivas added.

Estimates suggest that nearly five lakh children across Karnataka will be impacted by this policy change, with around 50,000 children in Bengaluru alone facing delays in their education.

Swaminathan Subramanian, another concerned parent, highlighted the financial strain on families.

“Not everyone is financially stable enough to afford an extra year of school fees. This sudden change has put unnecessary pressure on us. If children are forced to repeat a year, it will not only disrupt their education but also cause emotional distress,” he said.

Parents are also worried about the psychological effects on children, who will now see their peers progress while they are held back.

“These kids have already formed peer groups, and now they will have to watch their friends move ahead while they remain in pre-primary. This is traumatic for them,” said Shweta Venkat, another affected parent.

Capt Jithendra Kumar, a parent, added, “Any policy change in the education system should allow for a smooth transition without causing hassles for children. But this policy was introduced arbitrarily, expecting us to adapt overnight.”

Parents also pointed out that several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, have provided relaxations for children already enrolled in the system before the introduction of the age criterion in 2022.

“Other states have taken a pragmatic approach by allowing children who started pre-primary education before 2022 to continue under the old age criterion. Why is Karnataka not following the same path?” questioned Srinivas.

As the 2025-26 academic year approaches, parents are urging the government to provide an immediate relaxation for children who were already enrolled in pre-primary education before the Nov 2022 notification.

“Any policy should prioritize public welfare. There needs to be a transition period, or else it defeats the purpose of an education system that focuses on student well-being,” Srinivas concluded.

In response to the growing concerns, some parents met with K V Trilok Chandra, Commissioner of Public Education, on Feb 27, seeking relaxation of the age restriction for children enrolled in preschool before the Nov 2022 notification.