Javadekar says govt to bring detention policy in classes 5, 8
Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said the Centre will soon introduce a detention policy for students in classes 5 and 8 with support from states.
“In a proposed bill to be passed in Parliament, power has been given to the states to have examinations for students of fifth and eighth standards in March. If they (students) fail, they will be given one last chance to appear in an examination in May,” he said.
If a student fails in both attempts, he/she will be detained, Javadekar said, adding 25 states have already given consent to the move.
“We decided jointly in a meet attended by all (state) education ministers that we can’t allow students to go to Class 9 without qualifying in the exams in classes 5 and 8. We will grant states the power to retain students,” he said at an Indian Chamber of Com- merce discussion titled Way forward For Education Sector In Eastern Region.
The past policy to have no detention from classes 1-8 has only affected students, the Union minister said.
“The purpose then was to take everybody along... As there was no examination, many government schools in the country became virtual mid-day meal schools where students would only come to have the meal and leave thereafter.
“We want to inspire students to be more inquisitive and innovative in their approach to studies aided by able teachers,” he added.