With age limit for admission to Class 1, psychiatrists see rise in young patients

BENGALURU: The recent change in age criteria for children’s admission to Class 1 has led to confusion and problems for many kids.

According to the 2018 guidelines, the cutoff age for children was 5.5 years, which was later increased to 6 years in 2022. However, this change has resulted in many children being forced to repeat classes again. This has also caused problems for many children.

Children who repeat classes find it challenging to make new friends and adjust to the new environment. Other kids might not mingle with them, leading to feelings of isolation. Some children are subjected to ragging, which can lead to depression and anxiety. Repeating classes can cause children to lose interest in learning, and they might struggle to cope with the curriculum, medical experts point out.

The pressure to repeat classes can take a toll on children’s mental health, leading to increased cases of depression and anxiety. Parents are expressing concern as more children are being taken to hospitals due to mental health issues. Many parents are worried about the impact of this policy on their children’s well-being.

NIMHANS psychiatrists are urging the government to reconsider the age criteria, citing the increasing number of cases and the need for relaxation.

Children may face many issues due to repeating classes:

– Difficulty in making new friends and adjusting.

– Other kids don’t mingle with them.

– Children are subjected to ragging.

– Learning becomes a problem.

– Interest in studies decreases.

– Repeated material leads to boredom.

– Children are depressed due to ragging and are visiting hospitals.

– Some children are forced to repeat classes against their will.

– Parents are anxious about their children’s well-being.

– The anxiety is affecting children, and they are visiting hospitals due to stress.

Dr Sowmya Shri, a children’s psychiatrist, said, “Children who have already been admitted to KG or Montessori are at a great disadvantage and may have to repeat a class. It may affect their mental health. It will make them feel low or lower their their confidence. They may face stigma or isolation and it will affect the self-esteem of the child. Learning happens when you make it a little bit challenging. If teachers teach the same, they may lose motivation or become disengaged in the classroom, which will affect behavioral changes”.