Chandigarh govt schools to have 3 pre-primary classes

While earlier government schools in Chandigarh were enrolling children at the age of 4 as part of a two-level structure (Nursery and KG), before promoting them to Class 1 at the age of 6, they will now be able to accept admissions of even children aged 3

Keeping in line with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Chandigarh education department will introduce a three-tier structure for pre-primary classes from the 2023-2024 academic session for preschoolers’ easy transition to Class 1.

A model of the new three-tier system was showcased to the Chandigarh education department officials at Government Model High School, Kishangarh, which will be the first school to be fully covered, before other government schools adopt the model. (HT Photo)

While earlier government schools were enrolling children at the age of 4 as part of a two-level structure (Nursery and KG), before promoting them to Class 1 at the age of 6, they will now be able to accept admissions of even children aged 3.

As part of the new structure, children aged 3 to 4 will be enrolled in pre-primary level 1, those aged 4 to 5 in pre-primary level 2, and ages 5 to 6 in pre-primary level 3.

Schools can adopt their own nomenclature as they see fit for the three levels. Some private schools in the city already have the three-tier system in place.

A model of this system was showcased to the UT education department officials at Government Model High School (GMHS), Kishangarh, which will be the first school to be fully covered, before other government schools adopt the model.

Christened “Kilkari with Balvatika”, it has been designed by Arpan Trust and Kachi Sadak Foundation in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha, UT education department.

The whole learning space has been designed in three parts — corridor, indoor and classrooms — with over 50 learning spaces or elements. Some innovations include health and hygiene corner, literacy and numeracy wall, pretend and play, discovery space and pottery corner.

Director, school education (DSE), UT, Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar said children between the ages of 3 and 6 will be covered under the new system. “Chandigarh being a beacon for other states and UTs will introduce this for all government schools and we have also asked private schools to adopt this. It will bring uniformity under the NEP and help students develop a better foundation. We aim to be the first among UTs and states to implement this throughout the schools.”

The UT education department will replicate the model in all government schools, tweaking it where necessary by the start of the next academic session. The schools that miss out on the timeline will be ready after the summer break.

Around 9,000 students of pre-primary level 2 will be transiting to pre-primary level 3 this year, as per the department.