'No detention, no exam' provision likely to be reviewed

A provision of 'no detention, no exam' till class VIII under RTE could well be in for a review with many states opposing the contentious issue.
A sub-committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) headed by Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal which is looking into the issue will present its report on October 23, with strong indications that it will seek a review into the provision.
Bhukkal, who attended the CABE meeting here today, said the committee would also meet a Parliamentary panel which has voiced strong opposition to the provision of automatic class promotions.
As many as 19 states representations have been evaluated by the committee with most of them opposing the provision, sources said.

Tripura government had also passed a resolution in the state assembly opposing it.
"The overall view is that the provisions have failed to achieve its purpose and is hampering the quality of children reaching class X," a source said.

Bhukkal, in fact, in her remarks said, "Unfortunately we have done away with the traditional system of assessment but have not been able to substitute it with the required contentious and comprehensive evaluation in classes as conceived in the scheme of things."
She highlighted a study which suggested a downward trend at primary level and board results where pass percentage has dipped as children are facing their first public examination at class X level.

The RTE Act has to be amended in the event of the government going with her report.
Sensing the urgency, MOS in HRD Ministry Jitin Prasada who presided over the meeting as HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju skipped it, requested Bhukkal to submit a report soon before it can be deliberated in details at the next meeting.
The committee could suggest screening of the students as it feels that no exam policy is not only bringing in a sense of complacency among the students but is hampering the efficiency of the teachers in class too.