Maharashtra School Education Dept Proposes Re-Examination In Classes 5 and 8 – News18

The Maharashtra school education department has proposed revisions to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, requiring the administration of tests for students in Classes 5 and 8. According to a state government notification, if a student fails in Classes 5 or 8 will be allowed to appear for a re-examination that will be conducted within two months of the declaration of the annual exam results.

If the candidate fails in the re-examination, then the respective school can detain the child. Also, no student can be expelled from the school till the completion of elementary education (which is till Class 8).

“No student will be expelled from school until they have completed their primary education, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to continue their academic journey without the fear of being forced out of school due to poor performance,” the gazette clearly stated.

The Maharashtra education department has officially published the gazette declaring these changes. “It is a good decision as simply pushing children to higher classes has not helped,” said Shirley Pillai, Principal, Powai English School, Mumbai. Further in the circular, the department has notified about age-appropriate admission. As per the announcement, passing the Class 5 exam would be required for age-appropriate admission to Classes 6 to 8. If the child does not pass, he/she will have to be admitted in Class 5, as per the new norm.

Earlier, the RTE Act mandated that student from Classes 1 to 8 did not fail. But the updates standards now demand yearly assessment for students in Classes 5 and 8. The protocols of these exams have been specified by State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

Ranjeet Singh Deol, principal secretary, school education department said that the revision was done on the basis of the rules of the central government, according to reports. He also notified that there will be no board examinations for Classes 5 and 8. Meanwhile, educationist Francis Joseph said that regular assessment is good for children. On the other hand, Saba Quraishi, principal, Anjuman-I-Islam’s Dr MIJ Girls High School in Bandra said initially when the no-detention policy was announced teachers were against it.