Driven by the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Odisha is witnessing a significant shift in early childhood education
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha is experiencing a decline in the enrollment of underage children (aged 5) in government primary schools, alongside a notable increase in Anganwadi participation, as indicated by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)-2024 published by the Ministry of Education.
The report, released on Tuesday, emphasized the enrollment trends in rural schools and the literacy rates of children across pre-primary, primary, and upper grades throughout the nation.
When comparing the Class 1 enrollment statistics from 2018 to those of 2024, the ASER noted that in 2018, 27.2 percent of children aged 5 were registered in Class 1 of government schools, with an additional 6.8 percent in private institutions. However, by 2024, this figure had decreased by 18 percent. Conversely, the enrollment of 5-year-old children in Anganwadi centers rose from 52.8 percent in 2018 to 70.4 percent in 2024.
The ministry’s report emphasizes that enrolling children in school at an early age may be counterproductive. It asserts that children must be both cognitively and socially prepared to handle the demands of formal education, including curricular expectations and classroom conduct.
“The reduction in the number of underage children attending government primary schools in 2024 is encouraging. Previously, parents lacking the financial means to enroll their children in private pre-schools, yet possessing high educational aspirations, had no choice but to register their children in Std 1 at a government institution. From the perspective of these parents, the justification for such early admissions was the belief that starting school sooner would enhance their children’s future success,” the ministry stated.
The National Education Policy 2020, currently being implemented in the state for pre-primary and primary levels, stipulates that children may only be admitted to Class 1 after they reach the age of six. This clear transition towards ensuring that children do not commence formal education before the age of six represents a significant structural change, which is expected to yield positive outcomes for children’s future development and learning experiences. Additionally, the NEP mandates that children entering Class 1 must be adequately prepared for school.
Odisha is one of four states that have experienced a rise in Anganwadi enrollment alongside a decline in underage admissions to Class 1, a trend also observed in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Notably, the percentage of five-year-old children enrolling in private schools for LKG or UKG has increased from 11.8% in 2018 to 15% last year.
Children in Government Schools:
Class 1 to 5:
Boys – 84.5%
Girls – 88.1%
Class 6 to 8:
Boys – 91.4%
Girls – 95.2%
Children in Anganwadis:
Age 3 – 93.8%
Age 4 – 90%
Age 5 – 70.4%
