No-detention policy

• The no-detention policy will be scrapped from the next academic year as the policy has negatively impacted affected quality of basic education in the country
• Many states have expressed worry over declining education quality due to the no-detention policy and supported to remove it.
• Eyeing this, a decision has been made where the Centre approved that the no-detention policy can be uprooted from the next academic year
• Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, no child admitted in a school will be held back in any class or expelled till the completion of elementary education covering classes 1 to 8.

Analysis:

• The provision had attracted criticism with several states and schools complaining that it compromised on academic rigour and learning levels and quality at schools.
• The TSR Subramanian committee for formulation of the National Policy on Education has also suggested that ‘no detention’ policy should be discontinued after Class V. It had recommended restoration of detention provision, remedial coaching and two extra chances to each student such to move to a higher class.
• A sub-committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education also studied the issue closely and recommended a provisional detention clause at Classes V and VIII. In 2013, a parliamentary panel had also asked the ministry to ‘rethink’ on its “policy of automatic promotion up to Class VIII”.

By: Vishal