On Wednesday, the Centre ordered the state and union territory governments to standardise the admissions age for grade 1 to six-plus years. Additionally, it suggested that they start the process of creating and implementing a two-year diploma course in preschool education (DPSE).
Under the direction and control of SCERTs, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is expected to develop the course, and DIETs are expected to administer it.
“The National Education Policy 2020 recommends strengthening of learning of children at the ‘foundational stage’ as a national priority for the country. The foundational stage consists of five years of learning opportunities for all children between 3 and 8 years that include three years of pre-school education and two years of early primary Grade-I and Grade-II,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
The policy, the ministry statement reiterated, promotes seamless learning and development of children from pre-school to Grade-II.
As per a statement issued by the ministry, this can only be done by ensuring accessibility to three years of quality preschool education for all children studying in anganwadis or government/government-aided, private and NGO run pre-school centers.
The most important factor at the foundational stage is the availability of qualified teachers who are specially trained in the age and developmentally appropriate curriculum and pedagogy.
