HRD panel suggests leaving decision on 'no detention policy' to states; decision on CBSE Class X shortly

The implementation of ''No Detention'' policy, which does not allow any student to be failed till class VIII, may now be left to the discretion of states as a decision to amend the current provisions of the Right to Education Act (RTE) was taken at the 64th meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) on Tuesday.

In the CABE meeting chaired by HRD minister Prakash Javadekar, most of the states complained of deteriorating learning outcomes because of the No Detention policy and expressed their opinion that exams should be conducted in classes V and VIII. "It was agreed that the Central Government may bring in suitable amendment which will give states the freedom to review the ''No Detention Policy''," HRD minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters after the meeting.

Many states have opposed this provision complaining that the level of learning has come down because of this provision. Earlier, sub committees constituted by CABE had also recommended that the No Detention provision should be reviewed. CABE is the highest advisory body in the country on education and comprises the Centre as well as states. It decisions are, however, recommendatory in nature 
The HRD ministry may now take the matter related to reviewing of the No Detention Policy to the Cabinet.
In the meeting in which apart from Javadekar and Union Ministers Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vijay Goel, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Upendra Kushwaha, Educations ministers from 21 states and representatives from all other states and UTs were present.

Javadekar said that another key decision that was taken was that learning outcomes would be defined and made a part of the RTE rules. It would be laid down that what level of learning a child studying in a particular class should have achieved, Javadekar said.  Javadekar said that among other key decisions that were taken at the CABE meeting today, was that there has to be accountability of all stakeholders for improving learning outcomes.

"We will in the coming days work in this regard and create a system to fix accountability," Javadekar said. Another decision taken at the CABE meeting he said was to complete the task of training of untrained teachers within the next 5 years. In the meeting it was also decided to constitute a sub committee under Deputy CM and Education minister of Telangana Kadiyam Srihari to look into issues of girl''s education.

 The Union HRD ministry will soon take a call on whether the Class X board examination should be made compulsory for students of CBSE schools.

Speaking to reporters after the 64th CABE meeting today, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar today said that many state boards are already conducting Class X exams. "Since the matter relates to Class X exams for CBSE which is under the HRD ministry, we will soon take a decision in this regard separately," Javadekar said when asked if any decision related to Class X board exams was taken today.

There were reports that a decision regarding the compulsory CBSE Class X board examinations, which were scrapped in 2010 in order to reduce pressure on students, are likely to be reintroduced.

Javadekar, however, suggested that the Board exams, if they are introduced may be brought in only from the next session.

In the education sector, changes are generally made with regard to the upcoming session, he said. Sources suggested that while there is a view in the ministry in favour of making the CBSE class X examination compulsory, a final decision may be taken in consultation with the CBSE. A press release issued by the HRD ministry after the CABE meeting also mentioned that a presentation on Compulsory Board examination in class X was also made. 

Speaking about the decision, Javadekar said that ''Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'' was also the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to questions on the decision to review ''No Detention Policy'', Javadekar suggested that any change that is made may be applicable only to students of the upcoming batches and not the existing academic year.

In the meeting NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant also gave a presentation in which he is learnt to have disclosed that soon states could be ranked as per the learning outcomes of their school children, sources said. During the CABE meeting a presentation on improving of learning outcomes, rationalisation of posting of teachers in rural areas, National Achievement Survey, Compulsory Board exam for class X, joyful learning and anganwadis to be co-located with primary schools was made to highlight some of the issues and concerns.

Another decision that was taken at the CABE meeting today was that this gathering should be held more frequently. In his address, Javadekar referred to the country''s glorious past when its educational institutions were leading ones in the world. He also mentioned that India was leading the world in terms of GDP and economic trade.

Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudy spoke on the need for aligning National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) rationally so that skills acquired can enable pursuit of higher education. Sports minister Goel said that sports and education must move in a synchronised manner.