Plea seeking admission of child to Class I dismissed

Panaji: The high court has dismissed a petition filed by a parent of a five-year-old girl seeking admission to Class I.The dismissal occurred after state govt told the court that the Dec 13, 2022 circular regarding NEP, 2020 and the RTE Act, 2009 has been implemented from 2025-26.The girl’s father submitted before the HC that, according to the NEP, a child must complete six years in the current academic year to be eligible for admission to Class I.However, he claimed to have read a report indicating the policy was on hold and would be implemented from 2026-27. He stated that his daughter had completed five years and 11 months, and was not being promoted from KG to Class I.State govt countered the father’s contention that the policy has been postponed to 2026-2027. The father failed to produce any document stating the policy had been deferred to the next academic year.The HC recorded govt’s statement that the criteria for admission to Class I would be six years and above, and that the child does not fulfil the criteria. It subsequently disposed of the petition.