New Delhi – In a landmark decision aimed at improving academic standards, the Union Ministry of Education has officially abolished the ‘No Detention Policy’ for students of classes 5 and 8. Under the revised guidelines, students who fail their annual exams will have to pass a re-examination conducted within two months. If they fail again, they will be retained in the same class, as per the updated provisions.
Policy Changes at a Glance
The ‘No Detention Policy,’ introduced under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, allowed automatic promotion for students up to class 8. However, following widespread criticism and a 2019 amendment to the RTE Act, the policy has now been scrapped for classes 5 and 8.
Key points of the revised policy include:
- Re-Examination Opportunity: Students failing the annual exams will have a chance to retake them within two months.
- Retention on Second Failure: If a student fails the re-examination, they will not be promoted to the next class.
- Enhanced Teacher-Student Interaction: Teachers are expected to address students’ difficulties and work closely with parents to improve learning outcomes.
- No Expulsion Clause: Despite the revised policy, no student will be expelled from school until they complete primary education.
Implementation Across States
As education is a state subject, the revised policy allows states to decide whether to adopt it. Already, 16 states and two Union Territories, including Delhi, have removed the ‘No Detention Policy’ for classes 5 and 8. Haryana and Puducherry are yet to make a decision, while the remaining states and UTs continue with the old policy.
An official from the Ministry stated, “This policy aims to uplift the academic standards by identifying and addressing the issues faced by struggling students. It ensures that no child is left behind academically.”
Focus on Educational Standards
The revised guidelines are seen as a step towards better academic accountability. The Ministry emphasized that the new system is designed to identify learning gaps and provide timely interventions to help students succeed.
Reaction from Experts and Parents
The decision has received mixed responses. While many education experts have lauded the move for its focus on quality education, some parents have expressed concerns about the potential pressure on young students.