Agency: Starting from the 2026 academic session, the Ministry of Education, Skills and Development (MoESD) will set the official school admission age at six years.
The Director of the Department of School Education, Tashi Namgyal, said the decision is based on looking at children’s physical and mental readiness, as well as their overall wellbeing.
The Director said the ministry also looked at international practices, noting that 72 percent of countries admit children to school at six years or older. Many of these countries, such as Finland, are known for having strong education systems.
To include children born just before the cutoff date, the ministry will allow admissions for students who are five years and six months or older.
The Director added, “The ministry’s long-term goal is to set the school starting age at seven years for all students in Class 1.”
He explained that age is important in education because older children usually have better thinking, social, and emotional skills, which help them learn, follow lessons, and adjust to school life more easily.
MoESD also assured that children who cannot yet meet the admission age will be enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres for ages 3 to 5.
This ensures that all children continue to receive learning and developmental support before starting formal schooling.
The ministry’s aim in setting the admission age based on children’s readiness is to give students a stronger start, improve learning, and ensure they are ready for school.
