A decline of one lakh students is expected in the 2027-28 academic year as the State goes ahead with its plan to raise the minimum age for admission to Class I from five to six years. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty recently reiterated that the revised age criterion will come into effect from the 2027-28 academic year.
According to a report submitted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the transition to the new age requirement will create a temporary gap. Children who turn five during the 2027–28 academic year will not be eligible for Class I admission, effectively leaving out one batch. The report notes that the transition gap may lead to a decline in student enrolments to Class I in the 2027-28 year.
Last year, the Minister stated that that over 52% of the children in the State were already enrolling in Class I at the age of six. Officials now estimate that this number has risen to more than 60%.
The report, submitted to the General Education Secretary, pointed out that while implementing the transition, an additional year of Balavatika (5-6 years) may need to be included at the pre-primary level for students who are not yet six and could not get Class I admission. Parents will need to be educated about the scientific basis for an additional year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
