No detention policy

Source: This post on No detention policy has been created based on article “Express view on No Detention Policy: Scrapping it will aggravate problems” published in The Indian Express on 26^th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2– Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Context: The article delves into the implications of scrapping the No Detention Policy (NDP), which was introduced under the Right to Education Act, 2009, as a progressive step to ensure universal education and reduce school dropouts. The policy aimed to eliminate the pressure of examinations for students up to Class VIII by promoting automatic progression to the next grade, irrespective of performance in exams. This approach was designed to encourage retention and inclusion, especially for students from marginalized communities.

What is the No Detention Policy (NDP) and why was it introduced?

1. The No Detention Policy (NDP) was introduced under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which aimed to eliminate the stress and humiliation of failing exams for students up to Class VIII.
2. The policy sought to prevent school dropouts by ensuring that students are not detained or eliminated based on examination performance. It was a shift from traditional elimination exams to a more inclusive approach in education.

What changes have been made to the NDP over the years?

1. After 15 years of implementation, the NDP has been significantly diluted.
2. An amendment to the RTE Act in 2019 allowed state governments to decide on the detention of students.
3. Starting from the next academic year, Class V and Class VIII students in government schools can be detained based on their performance.

How has the dropout rate changed since the introduction of the NDP?

1. When the RTE Act was passed in 2009, the dropout rate for students between Classes I to VIII was 42.5%.
2. It was even higher for SC and ST students, at 51.2% and 56.8%, respectively.
3. By 2024, the dropout rate has decreased to 12.6%, according to UDISE data, indicating some success of the NDP in reducing dropouts.

What are the concerns about student learning levels despite the reduced dropout rate?

1. A 2023 report by ASER highlighted that only 25% of students aged 14-18 could fluently read a Class II-level text, indicating poor learning outcomes.
2. While the dropout rate has improved, the quality of education remains a concern.

What was the intended role of teachers under the NDP, and what challenges do they face?

1. The RTE Act envisioned that teachers would provide “special care” to students who failed to meet learning standards.
2. However, the shortage of 8.4 lakh teachers in government schools and the overburdened responsibilities of existing teachers make it difficult to provide individualized attention.

How might detention impact marginalized students and the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP)?

1. Detention is likely to discourage students, especially from marginalized communities, further aggravating dropout rates.
2. The NEP’s vision of innovative education and universal access clashes with the punitive approach of detention, which risks alienating students from the education system.

What is the overall argument against scrapping the NDP?

1. Scrapping the NDP could reverse the progress made in reducing dropout rates and disproportionately harm marginalized students.
2. It also fails to address the systemic issues of inadequate infrastructure and teacher shortages, which are essential for improving learning outcomes.
3. Detention-based approaches contradict the goals of inclusive and innovative education as outlined in the NEP.