Under the National Education Policy, children must be 6 years old to enter Grade 1, with a cut-off date of June 1 in southern states and March 31 in northern states. Children born just after the cut-off effectively wait an extra year, meaning some may be nearly 7 when starting Grade 1. This extends the preschool period and increases costs. Research shows that being the oldest in a class actually benefits children academically and athletically. Some parents internationally practice redshirting — intentionally holding children back a year — viewing the extra time as beneficial.