The Central Government has officially scrapped the no-detention policy for students in Classes 5 and 8, marking a significant change in the country’s education system. Under the new rule, students who fail their year-end exams will no longer be automatically promoted to the next grade. Instead, they will be required to repeat the class if they fail to meet the promotion criteria, ensuring a stronger focus on academic performance and learning outcomes.
The Union Education Ministry, led by Secretary Sanjay Kumar, announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the move aims to improve learning standards among children. The policy reversal applies to over 3,000 central government-run schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools. Students who fail their exams will be given a second chance to pass within two months, but if they fail again, they will be held back in the same grade.
Education experts believe that this change will encourage better academic performance and reduce complacency among students. While some argue that the previous policy helped prevent dropouts, others feel that automatic promotion led to weaker foundational learning. Schools will now be required to provide additional support and remedial classes for students who struggle academically. The decision has sparked discussions among educators and parents, with many awaiting further guidelines on its implementation.