PANAJI
In view of the Centre’s move to scrap the ‘no-detention policy’ for Classes 5 and 8, the State education department will convene a crucial meeting with stakeholders to decide whether the policy will be implemented from the current academic year or the next.
Education Secretary Prasad Lolayakar said that the meeting will be held in the first week of January 2025. “We are currently examining the notification and awaiting guidelines from the Centre. Once we receive them, we will hold discussions with all stakeholders, adopt the guidelines and decide on the timeline for implementation,” he said, speaking to The Goan.
The Ministry of Education’s amendment to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 allows schools to fail students who do not clear the year-end examinations.
Around 16 states and two Union Territories have already eliminated the ‘no-detention policy’ for these two grades after an amendment to the RTE Act in 2019 that included a clause allowing “appropriate government” to decide on holding back children in Classes 5 and 8.
Experts have pointed out that the reintroduction of exams in Classes 5 and 8 will bring greater accountability to schools, as they will now be responsible for ensuring students meet academic standards.
