Tamil Nadu to introduce kindergarten in government schools

The School Education Department’s move comes at a time when the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) has released a new syllabus for LKG and UKG students. 

The SCERT has also instructed all the schools in the State to follow the new syllabus from the next academic year. However, at present, the government schools in the State do not have LKG and UKG for children.

A senior official from School Education Department told DT Next that government has formed a committee, comprising academicians and experts, to look into the introduction of kindergarten from next academic year.

The official said that, in recent times, many academicians and experts advised the government to introduce kindergarten as children coming from economically backward classes were forced to join LKG or UKG in private schools. 

“The kids, who join private schools, fail to opt for government schools after finishing UKG,” he said and pointed out “in addition, the Madras High Court had in 2016 directed the Tamil Nadu government to look into the feasibility of introducing LKG and UKG sections in State-run schools.”

“Introduction of kindergarten in government schools could retain the students from LKG till high school level,” he said. According to the official, the committee will look into several aspects such as providing classrooms, appointment of teachers and their pay structure before introducing kindergarten.

 “Formal announcement of starting LKG and UKG is expected to be made in the State Assembly session,” the official said.