PANAJI
The State government is planning to phase out the long-standing no-detention beginning with grade VIII while also considering introducing competency-based assessments for students of Classes V to VIII from the academic year 2027-28.
The Directorate of Education constituted committee under SCERT Director (Administration) Sarita Gadgil and comprising education experts, academicians and teachers, has submitted its recommendations detailing modalities for implementing the changes in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
"The committee has submitted its report to the DoE. They have given their recommendations, which are under consideration. The report will be placed before the government for approval before any decision is implemented," sources said.
Sources said that while competency-based assessments are proposed for students from Classes V to VIII, the government is, at present, considering withdrawing the no-detention policy only for Class VIII in the first phase. The proposed reforms are aimed at aligning Goa's school education system with the NEP 2020, which envisages competency-based learning and assessments instead of rote memorisation. Under NEP 2020, the Centre has recommended competency-based examinations at the end of Class V and Class VIII, marking the completion of the preparatory and middle stages of schooling, respectively. In December last year, the Union Ministry of Education also ended the nationwide no-detention policy by amending the Right to Education (RTE) Rules, allowing schools to detain students who fail annual e xaminations after being given an opportunity for re-examination. However, the State continued with the no-detention policy for the current academic year, ensuring that students of Classes V and VIII are promoted irrespective of their academic performance. The State had deferred implementation pending detailed operational guidelines from the Centre following the December 2024 amendments.
The delay has drawn the Centre's attention. During the Project Approval Board meeting under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan held in May this year, the Union Ministry of Education expressed concern over Goa's failure to adopt the amended provisions and directed the State to expedite their implementation in line with the objectives of NEP 2020.
