New Delhi: The Government of India has recently amended the Right to Education (RTE) Act, making students who fail in Classes 5 and 8 ineligible for promotion to the next grade. The Markazi Taleemi Board has expressed its concern over this amendment, stating that it will have a particularly detrimental impact on students from marginalised communities, especially those studying in government schools.
Syed Tanveer Ahmed, Secretary of the Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB), Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said that this policy will have negative implications. He emphasised that instead of introducing such punitive measures, the government should focus on improving the quality of education in schools.
The government must ensure that teachers are provided with comprehensive training to transform classrooms into Active Learners’ Classrooms. This training should focus on implementing the concept of Joyful Learning, which will significantly enhance students’ educational experience and outcomes. A Child-Centred Education System should be fully adopted to foster the holistic development of students. This can be achieved by implementing a Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) System, which focuses on students’ overall progress rather than solely on rote memorisation. The evaluation system should emphasise learning abilities and practical life skills.
This amendment is likely to disproportionately affect students in government schools, most of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. These schools often lack additional tutoring and support services, which would further disadvantage such students and exacerbate inequalities. The policy could lead to a rise in dropout rates, as students who fail may face social stigma and psychological challenges, further hindering their academic and personal growth.
For any policy to be effective, equal facilities and opportunities must be provided to all students, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds. This policy also risks increasing the preference for private schools while diminishing trust in government schools. The government must refrain from promoting the privatisation of education and instead focus on improving the quality of education in government schools.
The MTB has urged the Government of India to reconsider this amendment. Instead of penalising students, the government should prioritise improving the quality of education in government and underperforming schools. The Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) System should be reinstated, empowering students to achieve age-appropriate and effective learning outcomes. Providing quality education to all children up to the age of 14 is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility of the government. The MTB has called on policymakers to focus on creating a more equitable and inclusive education system that leaves no child behind.
