By Q Radio News
The school starting age in Northern Ireland could be brought into line with most other European countries, according to the results of a recent public consultation held by the Department of Education, which ended on January 5.
The change would allow children born between April 1 and July 1 to defer starting pre-school and school for a year if their parents wished.
The move would prioritise parental choice over the usual one-size-fits-all approach.
Primary school: Consultation on NI school starting age gets overwhelming support. https://t.co/LvaKBcIk0O
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 12, 2022
Currently, children here start school in September after their fourth birthday - one of the youngest starting ages in Europe.
However, children whose birthdays fall between July 2 and August 31 usually start in the September after their fifth birthday.
It means children can start primary school from ages ranging from four years and two months to more than five years old.
The consultation on the proposed change attracted over 750 responses, two-thirds of which were from parents.
Sein Fein are also in favour of the proposed changes, stating that younger children in the year age group could benefit from being held back a year.
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