Maharashtra is set to revise its minimum school entry age, aiming to ensure compliance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends a minimum age of six for enrollment in Class I. The proposed regulation, currently in the finalization stage, is anticipated to impact nursery admissions, with educators hopeful for implementation in the upcoming academic year 2024–2025.
The current practice of some schools admitting students as young as 30 months old (2.5 years) into nursery classes has faced criticism from educators. The forthcoming admissions age policy aims to address this concern, ensuring that children commence their formal education journey at the age of three. Collaboration between the education ministry and the department overseeing aanganwadis, women, and child development is underway to draft and announce the new policy soon.
The Early Childhood Association (ECA) has actively advocated for setting a minimum age of three years for kindergarten entry, seeking the support of Governor Ramesh Bais in a formal letter. According to ECA members, Maharashtra remains one of the few states yet to adjust its entrance age, resulting in a considerable number of children entering grade 1 at the age of 5 or 5.2.
As per the existing Maharashtra government resolution, a child entering school for the first time must have completed three years by December 31 of that year. Critics argue that the current system leads to children starting nursery at the age of 2.5 and entering grade one at 5.5, emphasizing the need for a more developmentally appropriate entry age.
Educators stress the importance of consistency between state recommendations and NEP guidelines, asserting that aligning with the policy ensures that children, when they start formal education, are better equipped to adapt to new environments, comprehend lessons, and engage with teachers effectively.
