Panel Suggests Scrapping of No-Fail Policy in State-Run Schools

The committee also recommended conducting board exams for Classes V and VIII

No-fail policy till Class VIII has been blamed for falling standards among school children. (Photo: Reuters)

The HRD Ministry might soon scrap the no-dentention policy and introduce board exams for Class V and VIII to improve the education quality in state-run schools across the country.

A sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) headed by Punjab Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema submitted a 189-page report to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday. The report will be discussed on 25 October.

The no-detention policy under the Right to Education Act, which automatically promotes students to higher classes till Class VIII, has been blamed for falling standards among school children.

Justifying the scrapping of the no-fail policy, Cheema said that the move will be “counterproductive” while the introduction of board exams will help students become “more goal-oriented.”

Cheema shared that the report also “recommended spending more on elementary/primary education besides having a head for every school compulsorily.”

Constituting a committee of academic experts to review the course syllabus, duration of course and practical training in vogue at present to become a teacher, has also been put forth, Cheema said.

(With inputs from Indian Express and Hindustan Times)