Students of classes 5, 8 can now be detained

Context: The Centre has scrapped the ‘no-detention policy’ for classes 5 and 8 in
schools governed by it allowing them to fail students who do not clear the
year-end exams. Following the amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) in
2019, at least 18 states and Union Territories have already done away with the
‘no-detention policy’ for the two classes. According to a issued notification,
after the conduct of regular examination, if a child fails to fulfil the
promotion criteria, as notified from time to time, he shall be given additional
instruction and opportunity for re-examination within a period of two months
from the date of declaration of results.

Key points

·       Overview: The Central
Government has recently amended the Right to Education Act, 2009, scrapping the
no-detention policy in schools governed by it. It includes Kendriya Vidyalayas,
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other institutions under the Ministry of
Defence and Tribal Affairs.

·       No
Detention Policy (NDP): Introduced under Section 16 of the Right to
Education Act, 2009 to prohibit the detention of students until Class 8. Aimed
to ensure minimum education levels for all children by promoting automatic
promotion.

·       Key
Clause in RTE Act, 2009: Section 16 - No child shall be detained in
any class until the completion of elementary education (Classes 1-8).

Amended in 2019
-
Allowed States to hold back students in Classes 5 and 8 based on academic
performance.

·       Reasons
for Removal: Declining Learning Outcomes - Students reportedly lacked
seriousness about studies due to assured promotions.

Accountability - Schools failed
to focus on learning, as emphasized by the HRD Ministry.

States’ Feedback
-
Many states demanded policy removal to improve quality and accountability in
elementary education.

National
Alignment - Linked with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for
holistic education.

·       Challenges
with No Detention Policy: In 2016, Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE)
had advised Human Resource Development Ministry for the scrapping of ‘No
Detention policy’ on the ground that it was leading to lower learning outcomes.
The policy focused more on increasing the enrolment in elementary education and
compromised on the quality of basic education. It led to lackadaisical attitude
among students towards their studies, as they did not fear detention.