The Ministry of Education has directed that from the 2026-27 academic year, children must be at least six years old to be admitted to Class 1, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The decision concludes years of debate on the appropriate age for starting formal education, emphasising early childhood care and learning. Following Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement, O Heraldo spoke to educationists, teachers, and parents to gauge reactions. Director of Education Shailesh R S Zingde explained the rationale. “We had amended the Goa School Educa tion Act in 2022.
Since it was affecting many students, the government granted a relaxation and decided to implement the NEP 2020 guidelines gradually. The relaxation was given only to avoid repetition of class by students. That relaxation ends next year. Our rough estimate is that approximately 4,000 students may be affected, though we don’t have exact numbers. Many par ents had approached the High Court, which dismissed their pleas, making it clear that no further relaxation could be granted,” Zingde said. “The minimum age for children to be admitted to Class 1 at six years will be implemented across the country from the 2026-27 academic year,” he added He stated that a circular issued in 2022 had informed all government, aided, unaided pre-primary, and primary schools about the change. “A child to be admitted to Class 1 in an academic year must have completed six years of age on or before June 1 of that year,” Zingde said. Several educationists and parent representatives wel comed the move. Former Principal Prabhakar Timble said, “The decision is taken as per the NEP 2020. It is based on scientific and evaluative studies. So it is not something coming from the Chief Minister’s brain, and it is also not a political statement. This is a policy based on evidence. I don’t think there should be any controversy when a deci sion is grounded in research.” “Parents should focus on the holistic development of their child, not just formal school learning. If some parents feel that their children may be affected in getting admis sion to Class 1 because of their date of birth, nothing is lost. There are so many pursuits in which the child can be engaged. A child can be involved at home or in other infor mal institutions, using the time to develop different skills. Parents also need guidance on how to ensure holistic de velopment. There are numerous avenues available for the development of a child’s skills,” Timble explained. Our Lady of Divar High School PTA chairman Eleuterio da Costa echoed this, noting, “Currently, the minimum age is five and a half years, and from next year it will be six years. I think this is not a bad thing because the child should also enjoy childhood. Education is not the only place where chil dren learn. They also learn through play, swimming, public speaking and other activities. Nowadays, people try to en gage their children in many pursuits.” “Some parents just want to ‘get rid’ of their children because they are working and admit them to school early — from kin dergarten or even play school when a child is just one and a half years old. So the time they should spend with their par ents and family is lost. Affection, learning through play, and bonding with family happen in early childhood,” da Costa said. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with the govern ment setting the minimum age for Class 1 at six years. We should welcome the decision. Many people drop out but still achieve a lot in life. Education is important, but family and society play a huge role in a child’s development. To day, there is this strange thinking that a child has to settle and start earning early. That’s not right. We must give chil dren a free childhood before they start school, otherwise life becomes hectic too soon,” da Costa asserted. All Goa Secondary School Teachers Association (AGSSTA) president Savio Suraj Victoria stressed the policy aligns with national guidelines: “The decision to set the minimum age for admission to Class 1 at six years is based on the recom mendations of the NEP 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. This policy aims to align the school system with the 5+3+3+4 structure.” Not all stakeholders welcomed the move. Former head master Filastro Cardozo criticised it as “a retrograde step by the government because today we are advancing, not regressing. The government policies lack foresight, and no proper study has been made. We must move with the times and students should get more exposure,” highlighting con cerns that the policy may limit early academic engagement. The reactions underscore a broader debate: while experts and many parents stress holistic development and a free childhood, some educators fear delaying formal schooling could affect academic preparedness in a competitive envi ronment. Observers suggest the policy could have been im plemented with better awareness campaigns, preparatory programes for children who miss the cut-off, and structured support for teachers, easing the transition for families.
