The Delhi government on Friday amended the “no detention” policy for children up to class 8, stating that if they do not pass the yearly examination, they will not be promoted to the next class.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the “no detention” policy was introduced in the Right to Education Act to protect the interests of children; instead, it harms them.
Starting next academic year, students in classes 5 and 8 can be held back under special circumstances to prevent further harm. Sisodia said that the new assessment guidelines are not meant to detain children but to instill the same level of seriousness in elementary classes as they do in higher classes.
According to officials of the directorate of education (DoE), these guidelines will be implemented in all government, government-aided, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Cantonment Board and recognised unaided schools within Delhi.
The officials said the new assessment guidelines prepared by the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT), Delhi, will evaluate students on holistic parameters, and if a child fails the exams in classes 5 and 8, they will be given the opportunity to appear for a re-examination within two months of the results being announced.
Classes 5 and 8 will be assessed by midterms, annual examinations, and extracurricular activities under the new guidelines.
There are several types of evaluations, including project-based activities, portfolios, classroom participation, participation in activities such as theatre, dance, music, sports, and attendance.
With the amendment of the Right to Education Act, 2009, the no detention policy, under which no student would be failed until class 8, was abolished.
Ashok Panday, an educationist, said, “Detention is an easy step for schools. It is difficult for schools to work with children and support them. Schools should not use detention as their first option, since it is very hard for children to be held back. Schools should make sure students receive minimum learning.”