The recent revocation of the ‘no-detention’ policy for Classes 5 and 8 has sparked significant controversy among education stakeholders in the State. This shift allows schools to fail students who do not pass their year-end examinations, raising alarm among various educationists.
Concerns have been raised that this decision by the Union government will disproportionately impact children from marginalized communities, including Dalits, tribal populations, and students from rural and backward areas. Critics argue that this could result in a rise in school dropouts and inadvertently push children into the labor market.
Conversely, certain private school associations and student groups have endorsed the government’s new direction.
Details of the New Regulations
As outlined in the Ministry of Education’s recent gazette notification dated December 16, titled ‘Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Rules, 2024,’ students who fail to meet promotion standards in Classes 5 or 8 can now be retained. The regulations stress the importance of providing remedial support to these students to help address any learning deficiencies. Students will be given a chance for re-examination within two months following the results announcement; those who do not pass the re-exam will be held back.
While the Ministry initially amended the Act in 2019, it had not formalized and enacted these rules until now.
Niranjanaradhya V.P., an advocate for developmental education, highlighted that the push for free and compulsory education has been a long-standing struggle in India, leading to the enactment of the RTE Act in 2009. He noted that the Act’s Section-16 prohibits the retention or expulsion of children before completing elementary education, calling recent changes a “deliberate attempt to dilute and distort” this historic legislation. He urged state authorities to reject the proposal for detention in schools.
“Repeating a class does not equip children with new resources to tackle the same syllabus again. This may lead to negative perceptions among peers and parents,” he stated. He emphasized that the ‘no detention’ provision in the RTE Act was intended to encourage continuous assessment rather than dismiss the need for evaluating student progress.
Critics like Lokesh Talikatte, president of Karnataka Private Educational Institutions Association (KRUPA), labeled the Centre’s decision as “anti-student,” warning that it may contribute to increased dropout rates.
Mixed Reactions
In contrast, some private school managements, including those in the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), along with various student organizations, have expressed support for the policy change.
According to Shashi Kumar, general secretary of KAMS, “Many SSLC students in government institutions struggle with basic English and math skills due to the existing ‘no detention’ policy. We believe that repealing this policy will enhance educational quality and urge the State government to implement the new regulations immediately.”
The All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO) described the rule alterations as a “partial victory” for the movement advocating against the no-detention policy, reflecting a broader consensus among parents, educators, and stakeholders for policy reform.
Future Considerations
In remarks regarding the policy changes, Ritesh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, mentioned that further discussions will determine the implementation of this significant decision, with input from the concerned Minister and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Published – December 24, 2024 11:43 pm IST
