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The state government had made an order in November 2022, where it was mentioned that children who are beginning Class 1 in 2025 should be six years old as of June 1. But numerous schools admitted children in contravention of this rule, leaving parents in a dilemma.

The Karnataka state government has eased the age requirement for admission to Class 1 for this academic year, succumbing to the pressure of parents whose children were admitted in contravention of rules.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that children aged five years and five months and above will be promoted to Class 1. But he clarified that the relaxation is being done for this academic year only, 2025-26.

According to the National Education Policy, the state government had made a circular in November 2022 to schools mandating the minimum age of admission to Class 1 as six years from the 2025-26 academic year. Those below the age of six on June 1, 2025, would not be shifted to Class 1, according to NEP.

But in recent months, parents of preschoolers throughout the state have been a nervous bunch as schools referred to education department regulations and indicated that children not meeting the age requirement would need to repeat a year.

"Following the State Education Policy Commission's suggestion and parents' pleas, we have taken a decision to provide relaxation in age for admission to Class 1 only for the 2025-26 academic year," Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated on Wednesday.

But the decision of the government has not been popular among all stakeholders. The move was criticised by the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka. According to D Shashi Kumar, the association's general secretary, the exemption was unjust to schools and parents who had followed the initial guidelines.

Anger is mounting throughout Delhi as parents have taken to the streets in protest against massive, unwarranted fee increases and discriminatory behavior in various private schools. Ranging from DPS Dwarka to Birla Vidya Niketan, frustrated parents protested in the streets, complaining against arbitrary fee hikes, stealth charges, and class segregation on the basis of air-conditioning payments.

At Maharaja Agrasen Model School, parents contend that students whose families don't pay an extra ₹7,500 for AC classrooms are put in isolated, non-air-conditioned rooms—leaving parents with concerns about inequality and emotional distress. Some parents even complain that teachers call children put in such non-AC sections by derogatory names.

The same outrage occurred at Birla Vidya Niketan, where the yearly fee rose by more than ₹28,000 without warning, along with an additional ₹10,800 AC charge. Efforts to clarify were apparently met with silence, gatekeeping, and incoherent meetings.

At DPS Dwarka, parents complain of a 100% fee increase since 2021. Some pupils were reportedly denied entry to classrooms, seated in libraries, or humiliated for non-payment. Parents have complained several times, with the Directorate of Education (DoE) directing inquiries.

Responding, Education Minister Ashish Sood has vowed transparency in the form of audits and public disclosure of data. But Atishi, Leader of Opposition, faulted the BJP-led government for facilitating "fee profiteering," demanding audit-supported relief steps on an immediate basis.

Parents complain increasing charges—Rs 50,000 or more a year per child—are becoming too heavy to bear, particularly for single-income families. "This is not merely a matter of money; it's a question of dignity and fair treatment in education," stated one parent.

As school audits are now underway, parents wait anxiously for decisive action and guidance on what fees are legal—and which practices contravene the very spirit of inclusive education.

An administrative directive given by Adit Kumar Sarmah, AES-1 and Inspector of Schools, Dhubri District Circle, that instructed the deduction of salaries from teachers who had not marked attendance on the Siksha Setu app has elicited huge criticism from the teaching community.

As per the directive, Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) were all directed to deduct one day's salary from those teachers who did not mark their attendance on the digital platform starting April 9. The initiative, intended for enhancing digital accountability and attendance conformity, was implemented after several reminders to teaching personnel went in vain, according to reports.

However, the order makes exemption for those teachers who are on approved leaves such as Earned Leave, Child Care Leave (CCL), Maternity Leave, or B.Ed. deputation. The DDOs were further directed to place the Action Taken Report before the Inspector of Schools' office in unexceptionable terms.

In a strong and swift reaction, Sadou Axom Sammilita Shikshak Mancha — the platform of united teachers' association — deprecated the order calling it "arbitrary and without due process." Ranjit Borthakur (President) and Utpal Chakraborty (General Secretary), leaders at forum, brought charge that order infringes on Rule No. 311 of THE RULES-1964 wherein employees need to be offered the opportunity of hearing before making them undergo the imposition of a deduction in pay.

The administration has sanctioned teachers without notice, reason, or any investigation into potential technical glitches with the Siksha Setu application," the forum said. It also condemned the one-sided nature of the decision, saying that teachers' rights are being ignored in the name of administrative compliance.".

The forum has called for the order to be revoked immediately and threatened a democratic protest movement if the directive is not withdrawn. "We do not favor confrontation, but silence in the face of injustice is not acceptable," the forum leaders stressed.

The directive will impact 387 teachers, and the backlash has caused widespread unease in the education community. The situation is being watched by stakeholders as tempers rise between district officials and the teaching profession.

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Monday stated that the state government is attempting to fill the gap between public and private education through the Model Sanskriti and Saarthak Model schools. These schools provide quality and cost-effective education to students belonging to economically weaker sections, he added that the government aims to open a Model Sanskriti School at every 10-kilometre interval in Haryana.

Addressing an interactive session as chief guest at PM SHRI Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School at Bataur village in Panchkula, Rastogi highlighted the need for self-confidence, concentration, and hard work in scaling heights.

During interactions with students of Class 12, he imparted personal wisdom and appealed to them to utilize opportunities at government model schools to the fullest. "These schools are meant to identify talent that might go unrecognised because of financial limitations," he added.

The chief secretary also committed to donating Rs 51,000 from his salary towards innovation activities at the school. Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Looks Back On His Career. Recalling his own path from being a student of a government school to an IAS officer now the chief secretary, Rastogi motivated students to have faith in themselves.

To a student named Shivani who questioned him about preparing for the civil service exam, he pointed towards the importance of family, teachers, self-confidence, and focus while attaining such heights.

Replicating another student's query for the absence of bus facility from Bataur to Shyamtoo, he assured fixing the issue and providing public transportation in the near future. Rastogi also engaged with faculty members and school principals, underlining that teacher accessibility and enablement can bring a change of direction in the life of a student.

"Teachers need to interact with the students directly, listen to them, and try to boost their confidence," he added. Additional Deputy Commissioner Nisha Yadav, who also attended the interaction session, mentored students in preparation for the civil service examination. She urged them to remain current through television and newspapers, practice previous papers, and develop discipline, confidence, and support from their families.

District Education Officer Satpal Kaushik stated that the admissions in government schools in Panchkula district increased by 68,188 in 2024-25.

A private school in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore came into the limelight after it was revealed that the school had asked parents to sign stamp papers promising to withdraw their children if they failed in school. The Tamil Nadu School Education Department sent a show-cause notice to the school.

When the problem became a hit online, the District School Education Department stepped in. Authorities said a show-cause notice has been served to the school, demanding an explanation.

The issue was brought to the authorities after one of the mothers of a Class 2 student complained: "My daughter is vivacious and smart, yet the school does not promote sports. She gets stressed due to the workload," she told the media.

Another mother, Chitralekha, also criticized the mindset of the school, commenting that even the pre-primary children such as the ones in nursery, LKG, and UKG were being burdened with material that was not of their level.

The school administration, in their defense, posted a notice on social media saying that the stamp paper agreement was not a directive. They averred that it had been done by one of the class teachers without mandate, and the teacher has been suspended.

The episode has triggered a wider debate about the academic burden placed upon young children and the need for child-friendly classrooms.

Official said authorities promised action would be taken in accordance with the conclusions of the investigation.

The incident has raised a wider debate regarding the study load imposed on younger pupils and the necessity for children's friendly areas for learning. 

Authorities promised action would be taken in accordance with the conclusions of the investigation.

Who would have thought a school performance by a subdued Tamil Nadu village could catch the interest of more than 100 million individuals on the internet? But that is precisely what transpired when children of Melur Panchayat Union Kindergarten and Middle School, Therkamoor, covered a Thai viral hit — and completely rocked it.

In a video posted by one of their educators, a cluster of uniform-wearing school kids can be heard singing and dancing to the catchy tune Anan Ta Pad Chaye — a Thai ditty that has been a crossover viral sensation in India, courtesy of its lyrics sounding strangely like Tamil. How the children recited confidently what seemed like to be "Annana Pathiya Aapata Kethiya" had the web scratching its head — and then pressing replay.

The actual charm, though, wasn't the thumping melody. It was the pure joy and innocence in the faces of the children, especially that of young Shivadarshini, who inadvertently became the star of the viral video. Her simple confidence and warm smile were the standout elements — and the next thing anyone knew, she had her own second viral moment too.

In another clip, students were seen doing positive self-affirmations in class, and little Shivadarshini’s proud declaration — “Shivadarshini believes in herself” — struck a chord with viewers across languages and cultures. It wasn’t just a quote; it became a vibe.

Social media users drenched the video with affection. "They look like little minions — full of energy," posted one user. "This is what wholesome content looks like," posted another. One nostalgic commenter even sighed, "God, take me back to school."

While Anan Ta Pad Chaye is catching a moment of the Indian limelight for its quirky Tamil-like expression, the song has actually Thai origins. In its original form, it was part of a traditional chant, popularized by Thai comedian-singer Noi Chernyim and then became viral with Indonesian singer Niken Salindry in 2019.

But this new development — school kids from Tamil Nadu dancing to it like naturals — is a testimony to how language is no hindrance when there's joy and creativity at play.

In a noisy world, it's these kinds of moments that show us how strong classrooms can be — not only to learn about equations or grammar, but to create smiles across the world with something as easy as a song and a bit of self-confidence.