Deferment of school attendance will only be possible in exceptional cases where the child’s health does not objectively allow participation in education. The request will have to be supported by the opinion of a specialist and a school counselling centre, not a paediatrician. The measures are to come into force gradually, and preparatory classes will disappear from 2029.
The amendment also changes the assessment system in the first two grades to verbal, bans failing in Grade 1 and moves the primary school enrolment deadline to January-February. Kindergarten enrolment will now take place from March to April. The proposal now heads to the Senate.