Detention policy reinstated: Will it improve education quality at schools?

Terming the reinstatement of the detention policy as a milestone, educationists and parents have argued that it will foster a positive learning environment and stimulate a competitive advantage for students. However, some parents remain sceptical, questioning its relevance and the timing of its implementation. Critics assert that the government should first focus on improving the quality of education and ensuring adequate infrastructure rather than placing undue pressure on students.

Senior members of the parents’ association stated that the policy, announced last week, will encourage children to focus on learning and promote a healthy competitive environment. By ending the practice of promoting students who fail their exams, students are expected to take their studies more seriously, they said.

“This move will make students work harder,” said association members, adding that it will also help develop confidence and resilience for better educational outcomes.

Centre’s notification

On December 21, the Central Government abolished the no-detention policy for Classes V and VIII across Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, and other institutions, impacting over 3,000 schools. The policy has also been scrapped in 50% of states and Union Territories. Students failing their year-end exams will now face potential retention but will be allowed to reappear within two months—a significant shift in India’s education framework.

This decision stems from 2019 amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which allowed states to modify the no-detention policy. Sixteen states and two UTs, including Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, and West Bengal, have abolished the policy. Others, like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, continue with it, while Haryana and Puducherry remain undecided.

According to the notification, students failing to meet promotion criteria will receive extra instruction and an opportunity to reappear for exams. If they fail again, they will remain in the same grade. However, no student will be expelled before completing elementary education. The government stressed that teachers would provide targeted support during retention to address specific learning gaps.

Parents divided over the move

After the Centre’s notification, parents expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed the move, saying it would instil discipline and encourage students to work harder, while others criticised its timing, arguing it should have been implemented at the start of the academic session.

Speaking to Patriot, Aprajita Gautam, President of the Parents Association of Delhi, hailed the decision, stating, “This will make the education system stronger and more reliable.” She criticised the no-detention policy, claiming it reduced education to a mere formality.

“No-detention policy led the parents to send their children to school just for the mid-day meal and minimal monetary benefits,” she said. “The policy allowed students who could not write a single line to pass eighth grade, eroding educational standards. It also demoralised teachers, who lost their passion for teaching when they were forced to promote all students regardless of merit.”

Mukesh Aggarwal, a father of two studying in a government school in Patel Nagar, echoed these sentiments. “This is a great move by the central government. My elder son, who is in Class V, used to refuse to attend school, saying they couldn’t detain him. Now, students will take their studies seriously.”

However, not all parents were in agreement. Raj Kumar Kanojia, a member of the parents’ association, criticised the policy’s timing. “Exams are just around the corner, and some schools have already released the date sheets. The Centre should have implemented this at the start of the session. At this stage, it creates undue pressure on students and exposes the lack of adequate teachers and infrastructure in many schools.”

Teachers welcome the move

Teachers in Delhi have largely supported the abolition of the no-detention policy, arguing that it had undermined educational quality and made their jobs more difficult.

Sant Ram, a government school teacher, said, “The withdrawal is a positive step towards improving education. Due to the no-detention policy, students were fearless and lacked basic learning skills like reading, writing, or simple calculations. The quality of education, particularly in Delhi government schools, deteriorated badly.”

Another government teacher, speaking anonymously, added, “Students were carefree because they knew they couldn’t fail. Some didn’t attend school for months, yet teachers were compelled to promote them. This demoralised hardworking students, who felt their efforts were meaningless.”

Teachers noted that the abolition would relieve the pressure of promoting unqualified students. “Now, teachers can fairly grade students based on their performance,” they said.

Principals weigh in

School principals have also welcomed the government’s decision, stating that it will help them focus on deserving students while ensuring that struggling learners receive the support they need.

Reacting to the matter, Dr Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, told Patriot, “The detention policy, if implemented sensitively, can act as a checkpoint. Students struggling academically will receive remedial help to strengthen core skills. Detention should be seen as an opportunity, not a punishment.”

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Dr Kapur emphasised that the Right to Education (RTE) Act initially prohibited detention to avoid high dropout rates, but the amendments allow for targeted interventions to help students achieve prescribed learning outcomes. “This policy, if carried out with compassion, can create resilient and capable learners while addressing individual challenges,” she said.

Rajesh Kumar, Principal of Government Boys’ Senior Secondary School, Model Town, said, “The no-detention Policy had hit rock bottom. It burdened schools and allowed unworthy students to progress. In every class, 20–25% of students do not deserve promotion. Now, schools can focus on serious learners, improve results, and enhance educational standards.”

“The policy’s abolition will make parents and students take education more seriously. It will also ease the burden on schools, allowing them to scrutinise and retain unprepared students,” Kumar added.