Deepika Pasham
Hyderabad
The New Education Policy has recommended that all states should stipulate the minimum age for Class 1 admissions as six years.
This rule has been part of its structure but only a few states have adopted it. However, the Centre sent a reminder asking why states are continuing the old practice. With this, the parents of children who have already taken admissions are confused about the implementation of this rule in schools.
On Thursday, parents’ WhatsApp groups were buzzing with comments on the age criteria as they have no information from officials if the age stipulation will be considered or not.
A parent named Sudhakar M. said, “My opinion is that this stipulation of age for children who have already started LKG or UKG is a problem as it results in the loss of a year or so.
If this rule has to be implemented then it can start with LKG for the next new academic year.”
Speaking to ‘The Pioneer,’ a CBSE-based school’s officials said, “The age criteria has been clear for admission. Yes, earlier it was above 5, but we have made parents understand that this is the actual rule and we must follow it. We all have to adjust to the new administration and look back at the minimum age of children.”
Raghu Macha, Chairman of Delhi Public School, Ghatkesar, said “Whatever the Central Board says schools have to follow and I believe that a lot of research must have gone into the new rule.
I do not know the reasons behind it. I would absolutely implement this rule, especially the age criteria, as otherwise they will not allow students to appear for Board exams. So far we have not seen parents coming forward speaking about age concerns. As of now we have exams going on and when we impose guidelines for the next academic year then we will understand the scenario. By March 20 we will start the new academic year. In the new orientation programme for parents we will discuss all rules.”
“In children, matured handwriting skills start developing after 6 years. Visual perception skills for copying from the black board or from books develop only later,” another parent named Shravan Reddy said.
