Around 24 states may drop no-detention policy in schools

As many as 24 states are likely to scrap the no-detention policy in schools from 2018 with the Union Cabinet and Parliament approving the amendment.

New Delhi, August 5: With some bills pertaining to education already passing muster in Parliament this session, the Ministry of Human Resource Development is looking to introduce a bill to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, to enable states to do away with the no-detention policy if they wish.

As many as 24 states are likely to scrap the no-detention policy in schools from 2018 with the Union Cabinet and Parliament approving the amendment of the relevant provision of the right to education act that allows the states to bring back evaluation-based promotions, reports TOI.

However, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra did not ask for a rollback of the policy.

According to a senior official, the change in the Right of Children for Free and Compulsory Education Act became necessary due to the fall in learning outcomes that translate into an over 20 per cent dropout at Class IX.

The Centre has thus decided to allow States to take the call and to tweak the RTE Act to enable them to do so. The Bill is expected to permit States to introduce exams in Classes 5 and 8.

Students who fail in the exams - to be held in March - will be given remedial training and offered another chance to pass in May. Those who still fail will be detained in the same class.

OneIndia News