Kolkata: Heads of schools in and around the city gave a mixed reaction to the reintroduction of detention policies for standards 5 and 8, although they expressed concerns it could increase the dropout rate,
CBSE-affiliated institutions strictly adhere to a no-detention policy since the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. While these schools conduct regular assessments, they avoid detention. Institutions serving religious and linguistic minorities, protected under Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, remain unaffected by the RTE Act’s provisions.
CISCE schoolsincluding minority institutions, have their detention policies whilst ensuring parental consultation and offering re-examination opportunities before finalizing such decisions. CISCE-affiliated institutions maintain autonomy in their systems, particularly regarding classes 9 and 11. Christian minority schools typically follow their individualised approaches to detention.
Julien Day Academic Schools Director Terence John said, “There are no recommendations from the council as far as detention is concerned; we have to strictly follow specified council resolutions only for classes 9 and 11. I think this is required since, if a child is not ready and if we put extra load, then either the child will crumble or become irritated or drop out. The dropout rate is much higher in classes 7 and 8 than in the lower classes.”
St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar, principal Rodney Borneo said, “Schools like us promote a child not only based on academic performance but the potential to perform better. We give them a second chance, and we personally speak to them. If a child is detained, it is for the sake of the child and in the rarest case.”
CBSE school heads acknowledge the necessity of maintaining academic pressure at the middle-school level, whilst expressing concerns at the same time.
Asian International School principal Simran Sanghera said, “By the time a child reaches class 8, it comes as a psychological jolt if they are not able to go to the next class. So, I think the intervention needs to come earlier to get accustomed to. the system.”
Birla Bharati School principal Apala Dutta said, “We follow no detention until class 8 but after that, we have detention according to guidelines. Suppose a child is lagging. Then we have to take an improvement test, and then the child is promoted. We have yet to receive a government circular on this for us to get a clear idea; the Bangla Siksha portal has no mention of detention.”
State education minister Bratya Basu clarified on Monday night via X handle that a modified order was issued in 2019, and state schools follow the assessment system. State school administrators remain uncertain about detention implementation despite existing government directives. Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses general secretary Chandan Maiti expressed concerns about the increasing dropout rate, especially in rural areas.