The T.S.R. Subramanian Committee, which was set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) to prepare a National Education Policy (NEP), has recommended that the No Detention Policy (NDP) should be applicable till Class V, and not till Clas VIII as is currently done.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Subramanian said there are two major handicaps for first-generation learners and students from economically and socially backwards sections.
First, the law has been changed to allow children to work at home in certain circumstances, say in times of crop cutting or for requirement in family business.
Second, unlike people from urban households and richer communities, these kids don’t have any backup, like tuition.
First-generation learners
“Hence, we thought that we can’t make the detention policy very rigid. We applied the broad principle of 90-90 i.e. 90 per cent of the students should learn 90 per cent of what is taught in class,” said Mr. Subramanian.
Mr. Subramanian added that around 30 years ago, school enrolment was just 11 per cent, but “today it is more than 90 per cent”, a majority of which are “first-generation learners”, who “don’t have parents that can help teach them,” he added.
“We found that different children learn the two fundamentals – arithmetic and language – at slightly different periods: In Class I, Class II or Class III. Our research psychologists and schoolteachers told us that many times, the child frequently is bad at studies in Class I and Class II, but suddenly in Class III, the student picks up and becomes better in class,” Mr. Subramanian added.
Hence, the committee thought that flexibility should be provided. “Those who didn’t grasp concepts immediately due to hereditary or social constraints – should be allowed to learn at least till Class V,” he added.
“In principle, we agree with the NDP. But the way this policy is being implemented is not acceptable. So, remedial classes should be held. Further, the children who do not make it should not be left behind. They should be provided with vocational education so that they can learn a life skill,” Mr. Subramanian said
In principle, we agree with the NDP, but the way it is being implemented is not acceptable... remedial classes should be held
