Start pre-primary sections in line with NEP: Centre to CBSE schools

In a recent meeting, the central government has instructed schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to introduce pre-primary sections in alignment with the requirements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The meeting, attended by principals of CBSE schools both online and offline, covered various topics, including the implementation of NEP and changes in assessment and evaluation patterns.

According to official data, out of the 28,000 schools in the country, only a meager 3,300 schools have pre-primary sections. The rest of the schools currently start from Class 1. However, during the meeting, it was emphasised that schools should be “encouraged” to initiate pre-primary classes.

The NEP 2020 proposes an education pattern of 5+3+3+4, with an emphasis on foundational learning in the initial years. The foundational stage includes three years of preschool education.

L S Changsan, the additional secretary in charge of school education and literacy at the Ministry of Education, stated that schools have been directed to begin foundation classes from the age of three. She highlighted that currently only 11% of CBSE schools in India offer pre-school classes, which are mostly standalone and unregulated.

Changsan further noted the importance of starting early, highlighting the significant difference in cognitive and socioemotional development among children. She strongly urged the remaining 20,800 schools that currently start from grade 1 to adopt this approach.