21st March 2025: A recent notification from the Odisha government regarding the age limit for enrollment in “Bal Batika” and the first grade has raised concerns among parents. According to the new rules, children must be over six years old by September 1st to be eligible for first-grade admission. This has caused problems for parents applying through the Right to Education (RTE) portal.
The new guidelines state that children between the ages of six and eight, as of September 1st, are eligible for first-grade admission. However, children aged seven or older may be excluded, causing frustration among parents.
Meanwhile, central government-run Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have set the age limit for the 2025-26 academic year between six and eight years, which differs from the state’s policy. Parents are urging the government to clarify and align the state’s age criteria with national standards.
The Education Department is also implementing the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, focusing on quality education and reforms in primary education. As part of this, additional pre-primary classes, or “Bal Batika,” will be introduced for children aged five to six years.
This policy shift has created confusion, and the state government is being urged to clarify its guidelines to ensure all eligible children can access education.