Calls for age flexibility in Class 1 admissions persist, ETEducation
Parents of children in UKG urge 90‑day age relaxation for Class 1 admissions along with issuance of circular to all schools to ensure uniform implementation, in letter to CM.
With the new academic year approaching, a large group of parents of children in UKG across Karnataka has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the government to grant a 90-day age relaxation for admission to Class 1.
As per the current state guidelines, children must have completed six years of age by June 1 to be eligible for admission to Class 1. However, parents say that children born between June 2 and August 31 miss the cut-off by just a few weeks or months, forcing them to repeat UKG despite being academically and developmentally ready for promotion.
“We are just UKG parents whose children are being told to repeat the class simply because they will not be six years old on June 1,” said a parent, who is part of a growing group of affected families. “We now have 566 members in our group, and every day more parents join us with the same concern,” added the parent.
Parents point out that during the previous academic year (2025–26), the Education Department had granted a six-month age relaxation for a batch of students facing a similar issue. Describing the move as compassionate and fair, they argue that a similar consideration should be extended this year as well.
“In 2025–26, the Education Minister provided a one-time relaxation for UKG students. At that time, our children were in LKG, and we were also part of the larger representation submitted to government officials,” another parent said, adding that they were informed that, starting next year, the State Education Policy would be implemented.
According to the parents, members of the State Education Policy (SEP) body formed by the Government of Karnataka had recommended a 90-day relaxation in their report. However, they claim that this recommendation has not yet been implemented through an official circular.
In their letter, the parents have made two key requests. They urged the government to grant a 90‑day relaxation in the age criterion for Class 1 admissions beginning with the 2026 batch, and to issue circulars to schools ensuring uniform implementation across the state.
They argue that without a clear directive, schools are strictly adhering to the June 1 cut-off, leaving many families distressed and children confused about repeating a class they have already completed successfully.
“This is not about bypassing policy, but about ensuring fairness between consecutive batches. If last year’s students received relaxation, denying it to this year’s children creates inequality,” a parent added.
Parents say the measure would benefit thousands of children statewide and uphold the principle of equity envisioned under the State Education Policy.
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