'No-detention' policy impact: Class-10 students faring far worse than Class-3
What's the story
The latest National Achievement Survey (NAS) assessed 15L students across all states and union territories to reveal alarming findings: Class-10 students were doing far worse than even Class-3 students, thanks to the CBSE's former 'no-detention' policy. They had to struggle to score even 40% in math, science, social science and English, performing better only in Indian languages. In fact, as class increased, learning outcomes fell.
Policy
About the no-detention policy
The no-detention policy, a key feature of the 2010 Right to Education Act, allowed automatic promotion of students till Class-8, irrespective of performance in exams. As a result, more students were being held back in higher classes, especially in Class-11, as schools screened them before Class 12. The policy was scrapped in August'17 after much protest; only six states batted in its favor.
Math
Here's what the 2018 NAS found
Due to this policy, students were uninterested in doing well, and teachers, in focusing on results. As a result, for 64% of Class-3 students across state, CBSE and ICSE boards answering a math question correctly, the score for Class-10 students fell below 40% for all boards barring AP. The figure showed a declining trend: from 64%, it dropped to 54% in Class-5 and 42% in Class-8.
Languages
Performance in English was similar, but Indian languages were better
Outcomes were similar for English, the NAS found. While 67% Class-3 students gave correct answers, only 58% Class-5 and 56% Class-8 students did so. For Class-10, no state barring Manipur crossed 42%. Only in modern Indian languages did as many as 19 states and UTs cross 50%. AP and Rajasthan performed better among state boards. Delhi had the highest overall score of 45.6%.
Conclusion
Stricter evaluation processes the need of the hour
The result is more underperforming students in higher classes. Reintroduction of the Class-10 board exams may compound the problem. "The government doesn't want to stress students by compulsory-grading in junior classes, but a passing requirement might be needed in Classes-5 and 8," a source concluded. Schools had been authorized to detain students in Class-5 and 8. However, they're to be given a second chance.