NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Education, Delhi, has now fixed an upper-age limit for entry level classes. The minimum age was fixed in 2007 but upper-age has been debated for several years. Also, in a departure from usual practice, the DoE has imposed different limits for differently-abled children and permitted even further relaxation for mentally-challenged ones. This is likely to alter points distribution systems according to which nursery admissions are conducted for at least some schools -- one offering points for low or high age. It will also lend some much-needed clarity to parents.

An order issued on December 18, says for nursery classes, the upper-age limit will be "less than four years as on 31st March of the year in which admission is sought." For KG (pre-primary) classes, upper limit is five years and for Class I, it is six years on March 31 of the relevant year. "I think it is a very thoughtful move," says Ashok Pandey, principal, Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar and chairperson, National Progressive Schools Conference. "This comes from the fact that earlier there was no explicitly-prescribed upper-age limit and having age variances ranging from one month to two years in a class was creating issues with the cognitive and social development of students."

Pandey approves of the different set of rules for differently-abled children -- and relaxation -- too. For physically-challenged kids, the upper-age limit is exactly a year more than their abled counterparts -- "less than five years" for pre-school, six for pre-primary and seven for Class I. For the mentally-challenged, it is "less than five years as on 31st March...which can be further relaxed only by the principal/ head of school subject to submission of the requisite documents." The order further says, "The heads of the schools are directed to note that the relaxation in upper age limit to children with mental disabilities shall be allowwed as a rule and that rejection of an application for admission should be based on valid grounds and a speaking order shall be passed by the principal....The parents/ward of the child shall have the right to appeal before the director (education) and before the principal secretary (education) in second appeal." The decision of the principal secretary will be final.

"Many schools were giving points on age to select mature and toilet-trained kids. Many parents who couldn't secure seats last year may be disheartened. We need to have rules for admissions and announcing vacancies in KG as well," says Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com.

The Delhi government has finally stepped in to do away with all ambiguity regarding the upper age limit in nursery admissions that start from January 1 next year.

In a meeting of the State Advisory Board convened by Education minister Kiran Walia, it was decided that the upper age limit of a child for admission in nursery would be 3 years 11 months and 30 days.

In the guidelines that were released on December 13, only the minimum age limit, i.e. 3+ years was mentioned.

"There was a lot of ambiguity in terms of age with some schools not admitting students who were close to four years old. There is now a clear guideline on age," said Amit Singla, director, Education.

Another important decision that will affect the admission procedure is the suggestion that neighbourhood be given the maximum points in the points system for admission.

"It was decided in the meeting that schools will give the maximum points for neighbourhood in keeping with the Supreme Court's order that children in the neighbourhood be given the first priority," said MS Rawat, member of the Advisory Board and general secretary of the Federation of Private Schools, Delhi.

The meeting also opened the doors for schools to start second shifts provided they are not run for commercial purposes. Schools have been demanding second shifts in the city for a long time now to meet the demand for admissions.

"The minister has agreed to let schools open second shifts provided we follow the RTE there as well and that the morning staff and principal be different from the evening staff and principal. This step will go a long way in improving the educational prospects of students," said Rawat.

A committee will be formulated to look into the matter opening of second shifts in

private schools, a statement issued by the Delhi Government said.

"That the upper age limit has been fixed is a matter of relief for many parents as a number of schools were not giving admission to kids who were older than three and a half years. This is victory for many such parents. The limit, however, seems a little stringent, especially for those who did not get admission last year and are now 4 years old. Getting admission in KG is very difficult," said Sumit Vohra, founder admissionsnursery.com, a portal for parents.

Pioneer - Govt fixes upper age limit of 4 yrs

The AAP Government has fixed an upper age limit to be followed by private unaided schools for admission to entry level classes with the maximum age for nursery admissions being set at four years.

“In accordance with the Delhi School Education Acts and Rules (DSEAR) 1973, the minimum age limit for admission in pre-school, pre-primary and class-I are prescribed as 3 years, 4 years and 5 years respectively as on March 31 of the year in which admission is being sought,” read the official notification of the DOE.

“Now, the competent authority has fixed the upper age limit for admission in entry level classes as 4 years for pre-school, 5 years for pre-primary and 6 years for class I,” it added.

The upper age limit for admission in entry level classes for differently-abled children have been decided as 5 years, 6 years and 7 years respectively.

“The heads of the schools are directed to note the relaxation in upper age limit to children with mental disabilities shall be allowed as a rule and that rejection of an application for admission should be based on valid grounds and a speaking order shall be passed by the principal,” the circular sent to schools said.

Explaining the move, a senior DoE official said, “the lower limit for admission was already fixed at three years, but there was no upper age limit for admission. Logically, it makes sense for children of a particular age group to be in a particular class.”

“If the Government had kept minimum 3 years and maximum 5 years for normal children than there would have been disparity as a two-year-old child would have major physical and mental difference and cannot compete with a 5-year-old unless he is genius,” Sumit Vohra, an activist who runs a nursery admission website said.

However, the cap on the age of admission is likely to disappoint many parents as there will be limited scope of giving another try in case they are unable to secure admission for their wards into a good school during a particular year. The nursery admission process in Delhi schools will begin from January 1 and conclude on March 31.