Centre Scraps 'No Detention Policy' For Classes 5 And 8, Students To Repeat Year If They Fail Supplementary Exams Too

Officials have reported that the Centre has abolished the 'no-detention policy' for fifth and eighth grade students in its schools. This permits the schools to fail students who do not pass the end-of-year examinations.

After the 2019 revision of the Right to Education Act (RTE), a minimum of 16 states and two Union Territories including Delhi have already abolished the 'no-detention policy' for the two classes.

Per the official gazette notice, if a student doesn't meet the promotion requirements after the regular examination, as announced periodically, they will receive extra tutoring and a chance to retake the exam within two months from the results announcement date.

If the child appearing in the re-examination fails to fulfil the promotion criteria again, he shall be held back in fifth class or eighth class, as the case may be, The Hindu reported.

In 2023, the Ministry of Education reported that 65 lakh students failed to pass their 10th and 12th grade exams, with state boards demonstrating higher failure rates.

"During the holding back of the child, the class teacher shall guide the child as well as the parents of the child, if necessary, and provide specialised inputs after identifying the learning gaps at various stages of assessment," the notification said.

The government has made it clear that until the completion of elementary education, no child will be expelled from any school.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Education have stated that the notification will be relevant to more than 3,000 centrally governed schools. This includes institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navaodyala Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools.

Given that the responsibility for school education lies with the State, it is within their jurisdiction to make related decisions. Haryana and Puducherry have not made any decision yet while remaining states and UTs have decided to continue with the policy, a senior official said.