The government at the center highlights the importance of enrolling children in 1st grade at six years old.
The Ministry of Education has instructed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to align their admission age for Grade-I with 6+ years. In addition, all States and UTs have been urged to commence the development and implementation of a two-year Diploma in Preschool Education (DPSE) course.
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NEP 2020 Recommendations on Admission Age
As per the National Education Policy 2020, enhancing the education of children at the foundational stage is a top priority for the country, encompassing five years of learning opportunities for all children between the ages of three to eight years. This includes three years of pre-school education and two years of early primary school (Grades-I and II).
Consequently, the policy fosters seamless learning and development for children from pre-school up to Grade-II, which can only be achieved by granting access to three years of high-quality pre-school education at Anganwadis, Government-mandated or government-aided institutions, private establishments, and non-governmental organization-operated pre-school centers. Qualified teachers well-versed in age-appropriate curriculum and pedagogy are also essential at the foundational stage.
To achieve this objective, the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) was recently launched on October 20, 2022. The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education has reiterated these directives in a letter dated February 9, 2023, requesting that States and UTs align their admission age and institute DPSE courses within their respective regions.
The division requests that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) devise and implement this course through District Institute of Education & Training (DIETs) under the authority and guidance of SCERTs.
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