KG classes in all Haryana govt schools from this year

GURGAON: Synching the state's education system with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the state government will introduce a kindergarten education programme in all government schools.
Starting this session, the state government will introduce a three-tier preschool education model in all government schools. While the government has already begun upgrading its anganwadi centres to playschools (Balvatikas I and II), it will now introduce a one-year Balvatika-III programme in all government schools as well. The directorate of school education has noted that this is a precursor to the complete implementation of NEP-2020, under which admission to Class 1 would be replaced by entry to balvatikas.
The government intends to implement the recommendation of the education ministry and streamline the first three years of preschool education along the objectives set under the Nipun Haryana mission for enhancing competencies of students in numeracy and languages.
The Directorate has noted that, under this scheme, children in the age group of three and four years will be admitted into Balvatika I and II. Likewise, a five-year-old child will be admitted to Balvatika-III.
“These three years will prepare the students for the FLN programme that is being implemented from class 1 onward. This gradation will help in gradually building up the capacities of students to become competent enough to grasp concepts taught in middle and senior schools,” education director Anshaj Singh told TOI.
The directorate has announced that all government schools should make the necessary arrangements to ensure a functional classroom, dedicated teachers and the updation of data on the MIS portal.
The Balvatikas in the Model Sanskriti Schools will be affiliated with the CBSE board and will conduct education in English medium. The department has also announced that these students will be linked with the RTE Act and will enjoy the benefits of welfare schemes such as Mid-day meals and free-of-cost books and stationaries, and allowances for uniforms, among others. Department has directed the officials to revise the school development plans (SDPs) of all eligible schools in their districts and ensure a student-teacher ratio of 25:1. The preschool classes will run for about four and a half hours each day and the students will be having two recesses.