Modi Government Scraps No-Detention Policy For Classes 5 And 8

The Modi government on Monday scrapped the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8 in schools under its jurisdiction. This change allows schools to retain students who do not pass their year-end exams. Following the amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2019, at least 16 states and two Union Territories have already abandoned this policy for these classes.

According to an official notification, if a student fails the regular exams, they will receive additional instruction and have a chance to retake the exam within two months of result declaration. The notification states, "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 the case may be."

Re-examination Process Explained

During this period of being held back, teachers are expected to support both the student and their parents by identifying learning gaps and providing specialised inputs. However, it is important to note that no student will be expelled from school until they complete their elementary education.

This new rule will impact over 3,000 schools managed by the central government, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools. An official mentioned that since education is primarily a state matter, individual states can decide whether or not to implement this change.

State Decisions on Policy

While many regions have already moved away from the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8, Haryana and Puducherry have yet to make a decision. Other states and Union Territories have chosen to maintain the existing policy.

The government's decision aims to improve educational standards by ensuring students meet necessary academic requirements before progressing. This approach seeks to address learning gaps early on rather than allowing students to advance without mastering essential skills.