Rajya Sabha passes two Bills, no-detention policy to be reversed

Rajya Sabha passes two Bills, no-detention policy to be reversed

News

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill

Important Facts

About National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill

1. It seeks to provide retrospective recognition to central and state government funded institutions offering B.Ed and related courses that are not recognised under the National Council for Teacher Education Act

About Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2019

1. The Bill seeks to amend the Right of children to free and compulsory Education Act, 2009.
2. It reinstates detention for students of Class V and Class VIII if they fail to pass examinations. Earlier detention was not permitted earlier under the RTE Act
3. The bill allows for regular examinations for classes V to VIII, and if a child fails, they will be given another opportunity to appear for the examination in two months’ time.
4. It empowers states to continue with the no-detention policy if they choose to, or conduct examinations at the school, district or state levels.

Rationale behind the Amendment:

1. The no-detention policy has had been criticised because of the deteriorating standards of education. For example, the proportion of all children in Class V who could read a Class II level text book declined from 48.1% in 2014 to 47.8% in 2016 (Annual Status of Education Report)

About RTE Act, 2009

1. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 aimed to provide free and compulsory education to children in age group 6-14.
2. Among other provisions, the RTE Act states that a child cannot be detained in any class till the completion of elementary education.