New Delhi: The Central government has written to the States mandating that from the new academic year, a child should have completed 6 years of age for admission to Class I. The new letter comes as some States, including Kerala, have not adhered to the Centre's previous directives in this regard.

The stipulation that a child should have completed 6 years of age for admission to Class 1 is a recommendation in the New Education Policy 2020. The Centre had asked the States to implement this recommendation in March 2021 and February 2023. The new letter was sent recently by Archana Sharma Avasthi, Joint Secretary in the School Education department of the Union Ministry of Education, as admissions to the new academic year are set to begin. The letter also asked the States to publish new guidelines after incorporating the necessary changes.

Fourteen States and Union Territories have already adjusted their age limit for Class 1 admissions to 6 years. Some States, such as West Bengal, have indicated that this change will be implemented in the upcoming academic year. According to the New Education Policy, ages 3 to 6 are designated for nursery and kindergarten.

Change in Kerala not this year: Minister

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty clarified that the state would not implement the Centre's directive this year. The Centre’s education policy could not be implemented in full here. Kerala has disagreement over many recommendations in the policy. This had been made known to the Centre on earlier occasions. If the recommendation to raise the age limit to 6 is implemented all of a sudden, it could have adverse repercussions.

He also noted that the State has not officially received the letter purportedly sent by the Centree. The Minister pointed out that States have the authority to take decisions on issues pertaining to education.