Nearly 5 lakh children in Karnataka caught in Class 1 age restriction rule, affected parents meet Commissioner of Public Education

Dr Sagar Srinivas, a medical professional, is one of the parents grappling with the consequences of this policy shift. “My son was born in 2019, and in 2022, we admitted him to pre-KG at NPS Jayanagar based on the prevailing rules. He started Montessori education in May-June 2022, but just a few months later, in November, the government suddenly announced the new age criterion. Now, he has to wait another year before he can enter Class 1, which is nothing but a financial burden on us. Additionally, this will psychologically affect my kid,” he says.

Parents say that children who were already on track to enter Class 1 between the ages of 5 and 6 are now being forced to repeat a year of pre-primary education. “It is completely unfair. The government should have provided at least a two-year relaxation period for children already in the system,” Dr Sagar adds.

Financial and emotional burden on families

According to estimates gathered by parents concerned, nearly five lakh children across Karnataka will be affected by this rule change. Bengaluru alone accounts for around 50,000 such cases.

Swaminathan Subramanian, another affected parent, highlighted the financial burden on families. “Not everyone is financially stable enough to afford an extra year of school fees. This sudden change has put an unnecessary strain on us. If children have to repeat a year, it will not only impact their education but also create emotional distress,” he says.

Parents are particularly concerned about the psychological effects on children, who will see their peers progress while they are held back. “These kids have already formed peer groups, and now they have to watch their friends move ahead while they remain in pre-primary. It is traumatic for them,” says another parent Shweta Venkat.

Meanwhile, Capt Jithendra Kumar, says, “Any policy change in the education system should be a smooth transition without causing any hassles to the children. But this policy is arbitrarily introduced, expecting us to adapt to it overnight.”

Other states have relaxed the rule

The parents also point out that states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh have implemented relaxations for children already enrolled in the system. “Many states have taken a pragmatic approach by allowing kids who had already started pre-primary education before 2022 to continue as per the old age criterion. Why is Karnataka refusing to do the same?” questions Dr Sagar.

With the 2025-26 academic session approaching, parents are urging the government to provide an immediate relaxation for children already enrolled in the pre-primary system before the November 2022 notification. “Any policy should be implemented with public welfare in mind. There has to be a transition period. Otherwise, it defeats the very purpose of an education system that prioritises student well-being,” says Dr Sagar.

Meanwhile, some parents Thursday met K V Trilok Chandra, Commissioner of Public Education, seeking relaxation in the age restriction for pre-school kids.

“This has already come to our notice. We are examining their case. A large number of parents… are affected. We will take appropriate action soon,” says Chandra.