Parents Launch Online Petition Urging Review of New PP Admission Age Policy

Thimphu, Bhutan – More than 753 parents and counting have signed an online petition requesting the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) to reconsider its decision to raise the minimum age for Pre-Primary (PP) admission to six years starting February 2026.

The petition, initiated by journalist and social media influencer Namgay Zam at the request of concerned parents, voices strong apprehension that the new policy could inadvertently disadvantage hundreds of children currently enrolled in kindergartens.

 Parents Highlight “Gap Year” Risk

In a joint letter addressed to the Honourable Lyonpo, parents acknowledged the government’s intention to strengthen early childhood education but warned of unintended consequences.

“Under the revised rule, a large number of children will be ineligible for admission to PP in 2026 as well as in 2027,” the letter states. “This creates a ‘gap year,’ leaving children caught between the early learning system, which currently ends at age five, and the new entry age for PP, with no structured pathway in between.”

Parents fear that some children may end up starting PP as late as seven years old, a move they believe could affect learning motivation and create emotional and developmental disparities in classrooms.

Key Requests from Parents

The petition outlines several recommendations to ease the transition:

Flexibility in Cut-off Dates – Allowing children who turn six during the academic year to enter PP.

Transitional Provisions – Introducing a phased approach to prevent current kindergarten students from being left out.

Parental Choice – Enabling parents, in consultation with teachers, to decide on a child’s readiness for school.

The letter draws comparisons with Singapore’s approach, where transitional measures accompanied policy shifts to ensure no child was left behind.

 Support for Education Reforms, but Call for Equity

Despite their concerns, parents expressed support for the Ministry’s vision of improving education quality.

> “We remain deeply supportive of the Ministry’s vision… and stand ready to collaborate in developing solutions that work for all stakeholders,” the letter concludes.

Growing Momentum

As of now, more than 753 parents have signed the petition online, with numbers continuing to rise. Observers say the issue is gaining traction not only among parents but also educators and policymakers, making it one of the most widely discussed education debates in recent years.

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has yet to issue a formal response to the petition.

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