It is likely that the admission age to enrol in pre-primary grade will change to five years from six. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering had a discussion with the education ministry to change the existing policy on admission age. The Prime Minister has also asked if the education ministry could implement it from the next academic session. The move is to ensure that every child joins the National Service or Gyalsung at the age of 18. Prime Minister said this during the Meet the Press session today.
If the age of admission to grade pre-primary is kept at six years, the student would complete class 12 only when they attain 18 years, which would delay their admission for the Gyalsung programme.
“We should calculate and decide on it so that when a child completes class 12, he can join Gyalsung and should be 18 years. We should change the policy. When I calculated, to ensure every child joins Gyalsung, the entrance level to PP is five years. If a child is 5 years, then when they complete class 12, they will celebrate their 18th birthday and will be ready for National Service. So we have to align with that,” said the Prime Minister.
On the 112th National Day, His Majesty The King announced the institution of National Service or Gyalsung for youths. His Majesty said the programme is to instil values in the young minds and prepare them to be responsible and competent citizens who will be able to shoulder the nation’s needs.
The National Service or Gyalsung will commence from 2022 and in its first batch will be children born between 31st January 2003 and 31st December 2003.
Pema Seldon Tshering
