Assam Govt to Rollback Pass-Fail System in State Schools

GUWAHATI: The Assam cabinet on Friday decided to rollback the pass-fail system in the schools of the state, abolishing the no-detention policy that is in force.

The state government has decided to conduct examinations for students of Classes V and VIII in all schools of the state and those who fail will be detained in the same class, officials said on Friday.

From now on, students of Classes V and VIII will be detained in the same class for two years if they fail to clear the annual exams and then again in another special exam.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the cabinet has approved the issue of a notification regarding holding regular examinations for students of Classes V and VIII at the end of every academic year as well as the manner and condition of holding back unsuccessful students, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019.

The decision was taken by the state cabinet in a meeting held in Guwahati on Friday.

Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu also said, "In the Right to Education Act, 2009, there was a provision of examinations from Class 1 onwards, but the unsuccessful students could not be detained in the same class."

"In 2019, the Assam government had amended the act and accordingly the state cabinet today decided to take yearly examinations for students of classes 5 and 8. The unsuccessful students will be detained in the same class," the minister added.

The failed students will have a second chance to qualify in a special examination, which will be held after a gap of two months once the results of the yearly exam are out.

The teachers will take remedial classes for the failed students. "However, the candidates who will fail in that examination too will have to study in the same class for another year," added Pegu.

Under Section 16 of the Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, "no child admitted to a school shall be held back in any class or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education". So, elementary stage of schooling, covering Classes I to VIII, is covered under the policy.

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