The central government's recent directive that only students above 6 years of age should join the 1st class in schools across India has caused confusion and concern among parents and educators. The decision, based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to ensure that children have the necessary cognitive and developmental skills to succeed in primary school.

In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Education Ministry Joint Secretary Archana Sharma Awasthi advised that admissions to Class 1 should begin for students who are 6 years or older, in accordance with the RTE Act 2009 and the NEP 2020. The letter urged states to ensure that this age requirement is strictly followed for the upcoming academic year 2024-25.

However, the timing of this announcement has raised concerns, as most private schools have already closed admissions for the next academic year. Many leading private schools finalize admissions as early as December. Traditionally, children who complete 5 years of age are enrolled in Class 1, while those who complete 3 years are enrolled in LKG class.

The sudden change in the age requirement has left parents scrambling to understand how it will affect their children's education. They are also worried about the implications for children who have already started school at a younger age. Adding to the confusion, the age limit for Class 5 in the state board of education remains at 5 years. This discrepancy between the central and state boards has further complicated the situation.

Parents are also concerned about whether children who have already completed 5 years of age and are studying in subsequent classes will face problems when writing public examinations. They have demanded clarification from the central government on this issue.

The central government's decision to raise the age requirement for Class 1 admission is aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring that children are better prepared for primary school. However, the timing of the announcement and the lack of clarity regarding its implementation have created confusion and uncertainty among stakeholders. It is essential that the central government provides clear guidelines and addresses the concerns of parents and educators to ensure a smooth transition to the new age requirement for Class 1 admission.