Sibal calls for 4-year age limit for nursery admission

In a move that is bound to give a sigh of relief to thousands of parents whose wards have passed 2 years of age, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has given a green signal to enhance the age limit for nursery admission. In a statement, On February 15, Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, advocated a proposal to raise the minimum age to four from the existing three years for admission to nursery classes in Delhi.

Every year, Parents of tiny tots come under tremendous pressure during the time of nursery admissions. Race for admission of their little ones turns out to be a nightmarish experience for many parents whose children have barely attained two years of age.
 

However, the minister squarely placed the onus for taking an initiative in the matter on the Delhi Government, saying:

“The measures can only be implemented after the Delhi government accepts it, as Education is a state subject.”
 

He assured that he would discuss the issue with the Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. If the Delhi government accepts the proposal, the age limit for nursery admissions will be raised to four years, while that to Kindergarten (KG) will be at five years. He said:

“Pre-schools should not start before the child is four. In March, a child should not be less than four (at the time of nursery admission).”

The HRD minister underlined the need to draw a demarcation line between pre-schooling and formal schooling, which starts when a child takes admission in class I at the age of six.

On being asked whether the revised age limit for nursery admissions would be applicable to all the schools in the entire country, the minister said a decision in this regard can be taken only after consultation with the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE).