New Delhi: The Ministry of Education in India has instructed state governments and Union Territories to follow the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and set the age of admission for students in grades 1 to 6 at six years old.
This is part of the NEP 2020’s focus on strengthening learning for children in their “foundational stage,” which includes three years of preschool education and two years of early primary education.
The ministry has also asked states to create a two-year Diploma in Preschool Education (DPSE) course, designed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and implemented through the District Institute of Education and Training (DIETs).
The aim is to ensure all children have access to quality preschool education and qualified teachers with developmentally appropriate curriculum and pedagogy.
The National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) was launched on October 20, 2022, to support this vision.
The Ministry of Education has sent a letter to state governments and UT administrations to encourage them to implement these measures.