Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty announces the new Class 1 admission age and anti-drug measures during a press conference. | Image: Canva
Kerala’s General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, announced on Thursday that the minimum age for admission to Class 1 in the state will now be raised to six years. The minister made this declaration during a press conference, stating that until now, children could be enrolled in Class 1 at the age of five. However, scientific studies have shown that children are better prepared for formal education after turning six.
Sivankutty explained that most countries with well-developed education systems set the age of entry for formal education at six or older. Traditionally, parents in Kerala have enrolled their children in Class 1 at age five, but the minister emphasised that over 50% of students now begin school at age six, a trend that should be encouraged, as reported by news agency PTI.
Implementation Timeline
The new age requirement for Class 1 admissions will take effect from the 2026-27 academic year.
Government’s Efforts to Curb Drug Abuse
Along with the revision of age, Sivankutty spoke about the government’s steps to counter drug abuse in students. The state has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with drug problems that incorporate detection, reporting, and remedial steps. Under this initiative, groups of parents have been set up to increase awareness and increase surveillance against drug consumption within school premises.
Action Plan for Students’ Well-Being
The government has also initiated an action plan at the school level, concerning the physical, mental, and social health of students. The plan incorporates elements of protection, safety, and participation to protect students’ rights.
Educational Reforms on Drug Awareness
Under the new curriculum for the 2024-25 school year, lessons on the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol will be added to the upper primary and high school students’ Science, Social Science, Malayalam, Urdu, and Arabic textbooks. Such modifications will also be introduced in the 2025-26 school year.
