Union minis ter Smriti Irani addresses the media.
The no-detention policy in schools is adversely affecting learning and there has been a proposal to reverse it, Union human resources development minister Smriti Irani said today. But a final decision can be taken only after a written response from the states, she added.
"All members unanimously agreed no detention affecting learning adversely and should be revoked but we still want a written statement from states," the minister said while addressing the media after the first meeting of newly reconstituted Central Advisory Board of Education, or CABE, under the NDA government.
There has been a growing chorus against the no-detention policy till Class 8 in schools - a provision of the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009, framed by the erstwhile UPA government.
But since Ms Irani took over, she has held several meetings with schools authorities, teachers and students and reportedly found that most favoured examinations -- not just at school level but also for Class X boards, which had been made optional during the UPA rule.
There was speculation that the government will also make the Class X board exams compulsory in the New Education Policy, which is currently being drawn up. The minister clarified there can't be a piecemeal approach and it has to be done along with the detention policy.
"By November, the state and the Centre's representatives will discuss first draft of New Education Policy, which will be ready by December... I have got immense support from states on this," she said.
State Education Ministers and secretaries along with academicians and nominated members of CABE attended the meeting.