Innovation is a continuous process, for no matter which procedure, even after giving the best thought is put into practice, it is bound to be challenged and face opposition in due course of time, only to be reassessed, altered or totally subverted to meet the new tests of the era. Let us just focus presently on the education policy, which was introduced by our colonial rulers and was well accepted and cherished even decades after independence. But since the last decade or so, a new model called the no-detention policy was introduced which envisaged mass promotion or that no student would be detained till class VIII.
The intent behind this policy was truly good, giving due regard to the fact that some children initially are slow learners or do not get focussed on their studies during the first few years and may not perform well. It may not be appropriate to detain such students which may cause dropouts and spoil their career. What failed nonetheless is the implementation of the scheme. When I say this, the focus will immediately be drawn on the teachers, that they have not taken sufficient pains on the continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCE) process that was the essence of this system. But what about the role of the parents whose prime duty is to keep their children focused on their day-to-day studies? By letting complacency creep in, that till class VIII they can be more relaxed, as there would be no detentions, the parents have destabilised the approach.
The HRD Ministry, reviewing the system and noting that it has brought indiscipline among the students has suggested that the no-detention policy may be revised by testing the students twice in classes V and VIII and detaining them if they fail in the final exam. Though most of the states have accepted this change, a couple of states in South India want status quo to be maintained.
Now we hear further that the HRD ministry based on the directive of the Madras High Court is intending to do away with homework for classes I and II. The objective could be not to penalise the little ones at home with the studies. The counter view would be – when the students are not put any pressure during the first two years would they not feel the heat all of a sudden in the third year? No matter what rules come, the alert parents should be prepared to keep track of the child’s progress throughout by revising the work at home on their own accord.
