Catholic schools want scrapping of no detention policy

Close on the heels of Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) strongly favouring scrapping of the no-detention policy in classes, representatives of Catholic schools today met Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani supporting the move.
During their interaction with the Minister, the representatives sought to highlight the adverse results the policy has brought in the learning outcome in classes and the impact on teachers too.
The meeting came as Irani visited a couple of schools during the day to get a first hand assessment of the no-detention policy which ensure automatic promotions up to class VIII.
The minister was introduced to several instances where students in primary classes had difficulty framing sentence. "Of concern was the way sms styled English was creeping into the vocabulary," said officials aware of the development.

The newly reconstituted CABE, country's premier advisory body on education had on August 19 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 August 19 meeting had unanimously resolved for re-introduction of classes promotions, contending the no-detention policy has adversely affected learning outcome.

Irani, though, stuck a cautious note saying her ministry will take a "comprehensive view" only after receiving the formal writings from the states.
A 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A few states have already repealed the policy, which had come into effect with the implementation of RTE by bringing in necessary amendments to the state rules.