Education Department: Align Ages for Class 1 to 6+

Vinod Kakumanu
April 4, 2023, 2:18 p.m.

Recently, the Centre ordered the state and union territory administrations to standardise the admissions age range for grade 1 to at least the age of six years. Additionally, it suggested that they start the process of creating and executing a two-year diploma programme in early childhood education, termed DPSE (Diploma in Pre-School Education).

Under the direction and control of SCERTs (State Councils of Educational Research and Training) the course will be developed, and the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) are expected to administer it.

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends strengthening of learning of children at the ‘foundational stage’ as a national priority for the country. The foundational stage consists of five years of learning opportunities for all children between 3 and 8 years that includes three years of pre-school education and two years of early primary Grade-I and Grade-II," the Ministry of Education said in a statement. The statement reiterated that seamless learning and development of children from preschool to grade 2 is promoted by the policy.

It is also identified that the most important factor at the foundational stage would be the availability of qualified teachers who are specially trained in the age and developmentally appropriate curriculum and pedagogy.