The Tamil Nadu government has confirmed that the Union government’s decision to scrap the ‘no detention policy’ for students in Classes 5 and 8 will not affect state-run schools. The state will continue its practice of automatic promotions for these classes, ensuring that students are not failed based on year-end examinations.
Tamil Nadu’s Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, emphasized that the Union government’s move is applicable only to centrally-run schools in the state. He reassured students, parents, and educators that the state’s existing policy, which prioritizes education accessibility for underprivileged sections, remains unchanged.
Tamil Nadu, which has not implemented the National Education Policy (NEP), is in the process of drafting its own exclusive State Education Policy. The state government has long upheld the ‘no detention policy,’ aiming to support students, particularly from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing ample opportunities to complete their education without the fear of failure.
The Union government recently amended the Right to Education Act (RTE), doing away with the ‘no detention policy’ in centrally-administered schools. The policy now permits the holding back of students in Classes 5 and 8 if they fail to meet the promotion criteria, even after a re-examination within two months of the annual results. Teachers are expected to identify learning gaps and provide additional support to such students during this period.
Despite this change at the central level, Tamil Nadu’s decision reflects its commitment to equitable education and its efforts to minimize dropout rates among vulnerable groups. The state’s continued adherence to the ‘no detention policy’ underscores its focus on fostering inclusive learning environments while ensuring students have the resources to succeed academically.
