Centre scraps all-pass policy for classes 5, 8

No child shall be expelled till the completion of elementary education

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The Central government has amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, introducing provisions for regular examinations and holding back students in specific cases in Class 5 and Class 8 if they fail.

Previously, state governments had the discretion to implement detention policies. While 18 states have opted out of the no-detention policy, an equal number have chosen to retain it.

Under the new 'Right to Free Compulsory Child Education Amendment Rules 2024', effective from December 16, regular competency-based examinations will be conducted at the end of every academic year for Class 5 and Class 8 students.

If a student fails to meet the promotion criteria, they will be given additional instruction and a re-examination within two months of the results being declared.

However, students failing the re-examination will be held back in the same class.