Gandhinagar: The state education minister, Kuber Dindor, announced the introduction of balvatikas for three different age groups in schools from the next academic year, beginning on June 1.

The three age groups are 3-4, 4-5, and 5-year-olds who have not yet completed six years as of June 1.

The balvatikas for the first two age groups will be set up in aanganwadis, while the third will be in primary schools. The state government’s decision is intended to ensure that students who do not meet the new age criteria of six years on June 1 are not held back.

The education department had previously decided that students aged 6 as of June 1, 2023, would be admitted to Class 1 for the next academic year.

The minister also noted that all primary schools, including government, grant-in-aid, and private schools of any language medium, are required to teach Gujarati language as a subject. Schools that have not yet implemented this rule will be subject to punishment.