BHOPAL: The state government has decided to restore exams or the retention policy in the state for the class 5 and 8. According to gazetted notification, the government have amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009.
Now regular exams will be conducted for the class 5 and 8 at the end of the every academic year. All students who secure the minimum marks prescribed by the Rajya Shiksha Kendra will be declared pass. Those failing in exam will be given additional teaching and opportunity of re-examination within a period of two months from the date of declaration of the result. Those failing in the second attempt will be retained in the same class.
General promotions since 2011
The state government withdrew 5th and 8th board exams in 2011 after implementation of the Right to Education policy. Students were promoted up to class 8. In 2017, the state decided to restore board exams but did not implement it fearing rise in dropout rate.
2 lakh students of 9th & above dropout every year
State has high dropout rate in comparison to other states. Over 1 lakh middle school (class 1 to 8) students’ dropout annually with girls outpacing boys. More than 2L students dropout annually in class 9 and above. Experts claim that retention policy would create fear among students and lead to rise in dropout rate. However, reformists are happy with the notification- they claim that in an era of competition, students should be made aware of exams from childhood.
