In a significant move, the Ministry of Education has officially scrapped the no-detention policy for students in Classes 5 and 8 in schools governed by the Centre, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). The decision, implemented from the current academic session, comes five years after the Right to Education (RTE) Act was amended in 2019, allowing states and union territories to decide on detaining students.
The new rule, detailed in a notification last week, states that students who fail to meet promotion criteria in their annual examinations will be provided additional instruction and a re-examination within two months. If the student fails again, they may be detained. Schools are required to provide specialized inputs to address learning gaps and guide both the student and their parents through the process.
Under the original RTE Act, no child could be detained up to Class 8 to prevent dropouts and ensure basic education. However, criticism of declining academic rigor and a lack of accountability led to demands for revisiting the policy. In 2016, the Central Advisory Board of Education passed a resolution urging its removal. Subsequently, the 2019 amendment allowed state governments to hold back students in Classes 5 and 8 based on re-examination results.
The Centre’s decision now impacts approximately 3,000 central schools, including Sainik Schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools. Competency-based assessments will replace rote learning, aiming to foster holistic child development.
Since the 2019 amendment, 18 states and union territories, including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal, have already scrapped the no-detention policy. Others, such as Haryana and Puducherry, are still deliberating. However, several regions, including Maharashtra, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh, continue to implement the policy.
When presenting the amendment in Parliament, former HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar emphasized the need for accountability in education, arguing that the no-detention policy had reduced seriousness among students. Critics of the move highlight concerns about dropout rates, but proponents argue that the policy shift ensures higher academic standards and better-prepared students.
With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 in place, the government believes this decision aligns with broader educational reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes
