CABE recommends revocation of no-detention policy

The country's premier advisory body on education today strongly favoured revocation of no-detention policy up to class VIII and bringing back class X board exams but the government seemed in no hurry to implement them as it asked the states to present their views in writing.
The newly reconstituted Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), in a day long meeting, unanimously resolved for re-introduction of classes promotions in keeping with the recommendations of a CABE sub-committee report, contending the no-detention policy has adversely affected learning outcome.
However, HRD Minister Smriti Irani, who chaired the meeting, stuck a cautious note saying her ministry will take a "comprehensive view" only after receiving the formal writings from the states.

"All the state Education ministers unanimously appealed to
revoke it (the policy). But all should give us in writing within 15 days to a month," she said, cautioning that any speculations right now will only give rise to confusion among students.
The decision, if implemented, could take it own course to be put in place as Parliament would then have to amend the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

Both the no-detention policy and making class X board exams optional were introduced after the enactment of the Act in 2010.
Irani replied in affirmative when asked if class X board exams would be brought back if the no-detention policy is scrapped.

"This is a part of the whole approach. One can't have a piecemeal approach. One has to have a holistic approach," she said.
Sources though said the CABE agenda did not include discussions on the class X examinations as the deliberations largely centered around bringing back class promotions up to class VIII.
The sub-committee report on no-detention, which was prepared under the then Haryana education minister Geeta Bukkal during the UPA government had favoured review of the policy, concerned over the dwindling educational standards.
"We need to stop, re-assess and then move forward. At this stage, it would be prudent to reiterate the need for assessment of the learning outcomes and make it consequential by linking it to promotion or otherwise to the next class beyond grade 5," the committee had said in its report.

A few states have already repealed the policy, which had come into effect with the implementation of RTE by bringing in necessary amendments to the state rules.