In December 2024, the Union Government scrapped the no-detention policy in schools across the country. It will be effective in its close to 3,000 schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools, which function under the Ministry of Defence, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The state governments retain their authority to decide on its implementation in the state-run schools. While certain states have announced their decision not to scrap the policy, 18 states and union territories, including New Delhi, Assam, Bihar, and Gujarat, have already done away with the policy. Before we get into the advantages and disadvantages of the policy, let’s understand what the policy actually means.
What is a no-detention policy?
No-detention policy refers to the practice where students will not be held back until they completed their class VIII. Under this policy, they will be promoted to the next class automatically without having to face annual examinations.
The policy was introduced as a part of the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009, that came into effect in 2010. Article 21-A recognizes children’s right to free and compulsory education. It emphasizes that formal education is the fundamental right for children aged between six and 14 years. In addition, the Act also aims to
- Ensure 25% reservation in private schools for children from disadvantaged communities.
- It fixes an upper limit for school fees.
- Prevents admission tests and interviews.
- Establishes a commission to supervise the implementation of the act.
- Sets up the student-teacher ratio in schools.
The Union Government scraps the policy
The union government, in late December, has issued a circular notifying that it has scrapped the no-detention policy in schools.
A circular, released by the ministry of education, read, “The department of school education and literacy remains committed to supporting students in achieving better learning outcomes, thereby ensuring an inclusive and effective education system.”
In line with this commitment, the union government has amended the rules under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, as revised by the RTE (Amendment) Act, 2019. It introduces multiple changes to promote learning among students even while ensuring inclusion and equity. The amendment introduces revised detention policy. The detention policy is applicable to students in classes V and VIII in union government schools.
“Under this, if a student fails to meet the promotion criteria after the annual examination, he or she will be provided additional instruction and an opportunity to appear for a re-examination within two months of the declaration of results. In the event the student does not meet the promotion criteria even after the re-examination, he/she will be continued in the same grade. During this period, the class teacher will actively engage with the student and the parents, providing specialized guidance and addressing identified learning gaps through targeted interventions,” the circular read.
Pros and cons of the policy
After the union government has reversed the policy, it has come under a lot of criticism and applause at the same time. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the policy.
Advantages of the policy:
- Holistic development
The very idea of introducing a no-detention policy was to reduce the examination pressure and stress on children, thereby creating a holistic and child-friendly educational environment. Instead of a traditional examination method that assesses students once a year, the policy advocates for continuous and comprehensive evaluation throughout the year. The policy believes that continuous assessments will allow teachers to identify gaps in learning and intervene early. This in turn will help the students to improve over a period of time by focusing more on understanding concepts and engaging with the study materials. The policy will also rescue those facing demoralization and the stigma of detention. Teachers are encouraged to focus on teaching quality, intervention, and remediation rather than preparing the students for examination. It promotes a more progressive, creative, and critical-thinking-based education system.
- Promotes equality in education
Students from disadvantaged communities often fail to clear annual examinations. It was not because of their inability but might be due to numerous other challenges like limited access to quality education, guidance, and resources; lack of parental support; poverty; and malnutrition. The no-detention policy was implemented to ensure that such children are not penalized for systemic inequalities and allow them to focus on their studies. By removing the stigma of detention, the government has aimed at addressing high dropout rates in school. It in turn worked to a larger extent, and the dropout rate indeed has come down. In the absence of fear of failure, they remained engaged in schools, leading to better school attendance and retention. This in turn helped to keep students in the educational system for longer periods, giving them more chances to succeed.
Disadvantages of the policy
- Decline in academic quality
With the implementation of the no detention policy, academic accountability and responsibility have taken back seats. Since students were not held back or required to repeat a grade even if they failed, students were lethargic in mastering fundamental concepts. When students move up the grades without having a strong grasp of basics, the gap in foundation becomes wider, making it difficult for them to catch up. Without the fear of examination, both students and teachers lost their incentive to strive for excellence. up. As a result, high school studies have become a huge burden for most of the students, and many have opted out of schools or gone into depression. Also, without the fear of examination, both students and teachers lost their incentive to strive for excellence. While teachers are less motivated to ensure that students truly understand the subject, students did not put much effort into performing well.
- Poor monitoring of learning outcomes
Under the no-detention policy, schools relied on a continuous and comprehensive evaluation system to assess students over a year. This method focuses on a range of assessments, including projects, presentations, group activities, and behavioral observations, rather than having to clear just exams. But inconsistent implementation of the method in schools had led to poor monitoring of learning outcomes. Teachers may not always have the time, training, or resources to carry out meaningful evaluations, leading to inaccurate assessments of students’ abilities. For it relies heavily on teachers’ subjective judgment. Since students are automatically promoted to the next grades and there is no need to meet minimum academic standards, early identification of struggling students becomes difficult. Without identification, there could be no intervention. Also, with an emphasis on overall development, there was a risk that academic progress of students might be neglected. If academic performance is not prioritized, learning outcomes in core subjects can be poorly monitored, and teachers may not notice significant gaps in students’ knowledge.
The government has been reinstating its stand that no student should be expelled from the school for poor performance until the completion of elementary education. Just like every education model, a no-detention policy also has its own merits and demerits. It is high time that the government, educators, educational institutions, and parents come together to ensure that students get high-quality education for the betterment of their lives.
Smile Foundation’s remedial education support
Smile Foundation’s remedial education support is a vital component of our Mission Education initiative, aiming to bridge learning gaps for underserved children aged 6 to 14 who are enrolled in schools. This program offers extra coaching in academic subjects, helping students keep pace with their studies and enhancing their understanding of core concepts. By providing personalized attention and tailored learning strategies, the remedial education centers strive to improve academic performance and reduce dropout rates among marginalized communities.
Beyond academics, these centers serve as safe spaces for children to express themselves through creative activities like painting, singing, and dancing, which are crucial for their holistic development and emotional well-being. Additionally, the program organizes excursions to significant places, aiming to instill confidence and broaden the horizons of these young learners. By addressing both educational and emotional needs, Smile Foundation’s remedial education support plays a pivotal role in empowering children from disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to overcome challenges and aspire for a brighter future.
