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News India Live, Digital Desk: National Education Policy : In Delhi, a debate has once again erupted regarding the rule of making the minimum age of a child 6 years for admission in the first class. While hearing a PIL filed against this decision of the Delhi Government, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the government and sought its reply.
Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay’s bench has asked the Delhi government why this rule is being implemented. Now the next hearing of this case will be on November 26.
What is the whole matter?
Actually, the Directorate of Education (DoE) of the Delhi Government had issued a circular in June this year. This circular states that under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it will be mandatory for the child to be 6 years of age for admission in class 1 from the academic session 2026-27. That is, the child should be 6 years of age by 31st March of the year in which admission is to be taken.
The government argues that this rule is necessary for better mental and emotional development of children and it is also in line with the new education policy. Under NEP 2020, the first five years of school education is considered the “Foundational Stage”, which includes 3 years of pre-schooling and then Classes 1 and 2.
Why did the parents protest?
Many parents are upset with this decision of the government. Advocate Vaibhav Sharma, on behalf of petitioner Deepika Sharma, told the court that this new rule will put many burdens on the parents.
- One year of study will increase: According to the new rule, children will have to complete three years of pre-school education (Pre-School 1, 2 and 3) before being admitted to Class 1. Earlier, after Nursery and KG, they were directly admitted to Class 1. This will add one year to the children and those who are already studying may have to repeat a class.
- economic burden: Increase in studies by one year simply means that parents will have to bear the additional burden of one year’s fees.
- Clash of seats: It has also been said in the petition that there are very few seats for direct admission in Class 1. Competition will increase even more with this new rule
The petition suggests that if the government has to implement this rule, then the age of admission in nursery (Pre-School 1) should be increased from 3 years to 4 years, so that children can reach class 1 at the age of 6 and the children who are currently studying do not lose a year.
Now everyone’s eyes are on the reply of Delhi Government and the final decision of the High Court. This decision will have a direct impact on the future of millions of children and the plans of their parents.
