No-detention policy likely to be scrapped soon, says Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said that a decision to scrap the “no- detention policy” on school students is likely to be taken in the upcoming meeting of the education ministers of all states.

Sisodia, who also holds charge of the Education Ministry, said that Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has assured him that a decision on the no- detention policy could be taken in his October 25 meeting with state education ministers.

According to Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, under the no-detention policy the students up to Class VIII are automatically promoted to the next class without being held back even if they do not get a passing grade.

One of the key suggestions included focus on “remedial coaching” and “hand-holding” to ensure the learning outcome of children does not suffer.

With an aim to improve the quality of higher education, where not many Indian institutes manage to figure in top rankings, it was suggested that high quality institutions from abroad should be allowed to come into the country, though with appropriate restriction.

“I talked to Prakash Javadekar today (Tuesday) through video conferencing and urged him to take final decision on doing away with no-detention policy,” he tweeted.

“I apprised him that both teachers and parents are unhappy with this policy. He agreed with me,” Sisodia said, adding that Javadekar assured him of a decision in the upcoming meeting.

Sisodia added that the Delhi Assembly has already passed a bill to scrap the no-detention policy in the national Capital a year ago which now lies with the Central government for approval.