Centre scraps 'No-Detention Policy' for classes 5 and 8 students who fail year-end exams

The central government has decided to abolish the 'no-detention policy' for students in classes 5 and 8 in schools under its jurisdiction, allowing them to fail students who do not pass the year-end exams, as per official sources.

The move follows the 2019 amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE), which has already led to the removal of the 'no-detention policy' in at least 16 states and two Union Territories.

According to a recent gazette notification, students who do not meet the promotion criteria after the regular examinations will receive additional instruction and the opportunity for a re-examination within two months of the initial results.

“If a student fails to meet the promotion criteria even after the re-examination, they will be held back in the same grade—either fifth or eighth,” the notification states. “During this period, the class teacher will guide both the student and their parents, providing specialized support to address learning gaps identified during various assessments.”

Despite this change, the government has assured that no child will be expelled from school until the completion of their elementary education.

Senior Ministry of Education officials confirmed that this notification will affect over 3,000 central government-run schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools.

“Since school education falls under state jurisdiction, individual states can decide on this matter. Already, 16 states and 2 Union Territories, including Delhi, have eliminated the no-detention policy for these two grades. Haryana and Puducherry have yet to make a decision, while other states and UTs have chosen to retain the policy,” said a senior official.