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Govt Meet Fails To Decide on Revival of Class X Exams


NEW DELHI:
Despite a broad consensus to bring back class X board examination and revoke the “no detention" policy, no decision could be taken in the 63rd meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education on Wednesday. Though states wanted the no-detention policy to be scrapped in one go, Centre has asked states to formally provide their view in writing within a fortnight for the next course of action. Though HRD minister Smriti Irani refused to speculate on the future outcome, revoking of the no-detention policy will require amendment in the Right to Education Act. But class X board examination can be brought back through an executive order.

 

Irani said the CABE sub-committee headed by Geeta Bhukkal, the then Haryana education minister, had looked into the issue of no-detention. Bihar education minister P K Shahi who was part of the committee told the meeting that during their interaction with students, teachers and parents the unanimous view was that no-detention till class 8th standard be scrapped. "Today also they appealed that it be removed. Education minister of 19 states said no-detention has affected learning outcomes. We want states to give their views in writing," she said.

 

Asked about allegations of saffronisation of education, Irani said she has only received cooperation from states and there should be no politicization of education. CABE also decided to set up three sub-committees. The first to be headed by Upendra Kushwaha, minister of state, HRD, will look into out of school children and devise ways to enroll these children to schools. The sub-committee will consist of education ministers of Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and senior officials of HRD ministry. Another sub-committee will look into improving infrastructure and performance of government schools. It will be headed by education minister of Punjab and will consist of education ministers of UP, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Bihar and few CABE members. Third sub-committee will deliberate on measures to improve and enhance skilling and technical education in the school and higher education systems. All sub-committees will submit their report within a year.

Posted on 21 Aug 2015