Centre abolishes no-detention policy: What this means for class 5, 8 students?

New Delhi: The Centre has made a significant decision to abolish the 'no-detention policy' for students in Classes 5 and 8 in central government-run schools. This policy change follows an amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) enacted in 2019, which has already seen at least 18 states and Union Territories (UTs) eliminate the no-detention rule.

States Leading the Change

Several states and UTs have already opted out of the no-detention policy, including Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Jammu and Kashmir. This widespread adoption reflects a growing consensus on the need for accountability in student assessments.

Implications of the Policy Shift

The Centre's decision means that students who do not pass their year-end examinations will no longer be automatically promoted to the next grade. Instead, they will be afforded an opportunity to improve their academic performance. According to a gazette notification issued by the government, if a student fails to meet the promotion criteria after regular examinations, they will receive additional instruction and a chance for re-examination within two months of results being declared.

“If the child appearing in the re-examination fails to fulfil the promotion criteria again, he shall be held back in fifth class or eighth class,” as stated in the notification. This new approach aims to ensure that students grasp essential concepts before advancing.

Support for Struggling Students

To assist students who may struggle academically, teachers will play a crucial role in identifying learning gaps and providing necessary support. The notification emphasizes that during this retention period, teachers will guide both students and their parents to address identified weaknesses effectively.

“During the holding back of the child, the class teacher shall guide the child as well as the parents of the child,” it read. This collaborative effort is designed not only to enhance academic performance but also to foster a supportive educational environment.

Protection for Students

Importantly, no student can be expelled from school before completing their elementary education. The focus of examinations and re-examinations will shift towards assessing students' understanding and overall development rather than rote memorization. This holistic approach aims to better prepare students for future academic challenges.

This change impacts over 3,000 schools operated by the central government, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools. While this policy is now enforced at the central level, individual states and UTs retain the discretion to maintain or abolish this policy within their educational systems.