Goa, Oct. 3 -- The Ministry of Education has directed that from the 2026-27 academic year, children must be at least six years old to be admitted to Class 1, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The decision concludes years of debate on the appropriate age for starting formal education, emphasising early childhood care and learning. Following Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's statement, O Heraldo spoke to educationists, teachers, and parents to gauge reactions. Director of Education Shailesh R S Zingde explained the rationale. "We had amended the Goa School Educa tion Act in 2022.

Since it was affecting many students, the government granted a relaxation and decided to implement the NEP 2020 guidelines gradually. The relaxa...