Confusion Over Age Criteria For Class I Admissions In Karnataka

The Karnataka State Primary School Teachers' Association and Karnataka Associated Managements of English Medium Schools are against over the minimum age criteria fixed for the admission to the Std I.

In their petition to the state government, Teachers' Association office-bearers informed that in the academic year 2016-17, Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has fixed 5 years as the minimum age for the admission to the Std I. But for the academic year 2017-18, DPI directed all schools not to admit any children below the age of 5 years 10 months.While the Teachers' Association wants the state government to relax the minimum age, the KAMS opposed any such move. This has led to a lot of chaos.

In their petition, association members have alleged that because of this rule, compared to last year, admission in the government schools has dropped by half. "Even if a child is just one day short of five years 10 months, admissions are denied. So, we want old rule back," urged association.

But KAMS which has more than 2,500 member schools under it has opposed any such move. In his letter addressed to the state primary and secondary education minister Tanveer Sait, KAMS general secretary D Shashikumar stated that any change in the minimum age at this stage will harm the interest of private schools.

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