Gujarat govt’s detention policy for Classes 5-8 faces criticism

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat govt's detention policy for students in Classes 5 to 8, aimed at improving learning outcomes, is facing criticism over its implementation. The policy, which replaced the earlier no-detention system, was intended to ensure that students develop basic academic skills and take exams seriously.Earlier, students from Classes 1 to 8 were promoted regardless of their exam performance, raising concerns that many advanced to higher classes without basic reading and writing skills. To address this, the govt allowed schools to fail students in Classes 5 to 8 if they did not meet the required standards.However, the education department's provision for supplementary exams has raised questions about the policy's effectiveness. Students who fail are given two months of additional instruction, after which they can reappear for exams and be promoted if they pass.Education experts argue that this approach weakens the policy's intent. They question how students who could not pass after a full academic year can succeed in just two months. As a result, many schools may prefer to pass students rather than fail them, undermining efforts to improve educational standards.