Top News

Udupi: With the new academic year approaching, the admission process has picked up pace across schools. However, confusion continues among school managements and parents over the age criteria for pre-primary classes (LKG), as the government is yet to issue a clear order.

For the academic year 2026–27, the minimum age for Class 1 admission has been relaxed from 6 years to 5 years and 10 months. Changes have also been made in the Student Tracking System (STS) to reflect this revision.

Despite this, there is uncertainty over whether children aged 3 years and 10 months should be admitted to LKG.

In 2025, when relaxation in the Class 1 age limit was introduced, many parents had enrolled their children in LKG based on the same criteria. However, in the absence of a clear directive from the government, confusion persists over their promotion to UKG.

Issues with data updates in STS

Several government schools are admitting children aged 3 years and 10 months to LKG and those aged 4 years and 10 months to UKG. However, schools are unable to update these student details in the STS software due to system restrictions.

Meanwhile, many private schools are proceeding with admissions based on the relaxed age criteria followed for Class 1.

Demand for clarity before academic year begins

The academic year 2026–27 is set to begin on May 29, and most schools are in the final stages of admissions. There are increasing demands for the government to issue clear guidelines on the age limit for pre-primary admissions to avoid further confusion.

Officials expect that a similar relaxation, as applied for Class 1 admissions, may be extended to pre-primary classes as well.

Lokesh, DDPI of Udupi, said that children aged 5 years and 10 months are allowed for Class 1 admission, and a similar order for pre-primary admissions is expected.