Center scraps ‘no detention policy’ for Class 5 and 8 students

The Center has ended the ‘no-detention policy’ for students in classes 5 and 8 who fail their end-of-year examinations. As a result, failing End of the Year now will result in a failing grade. Students who fail will be required to retake their examination within two months. If they fail a second time, they will have to repeat the academic year and will not be promoted to the next class, officials said.

The Education Ministry has clarified that no student will be expelled from school before completing their primary education. According to Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, the decision to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 is aimed at improving learning outcomes among students.

The notification states that the class teachers will be responsible for guiding the students along with their parents, if needed, during the time when the students are kept back. Teachers will also provide specific inputs to address the gaps identified during different levels of assessment.

According to the Education Ministry, this new rule will be applicable to more than 3,000 centrally run schools including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools and Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The ministry stressed that school education is a state subject, giving states the autonomy to take independent decisions. Currently, 16 states and two Union Territories, including Delhi, have ended the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8.

A senior official said Haryana and Puducherry have not yet received the final decision, while other states and Union territories continue to follow the existing policy.

The “no-detention policy” applicable till Class 8 ensures that even if students fail their annual Class 5 or Class 8 examinations, they are promoted to the next class. However, with the Centre’s amendment, students can now be held back if they fail the year-end exams.

With inputs from PTI