Even as Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani announced introduction of yoga as a compulsory subject from Classes VI to X in central schools on Monday, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pitched strongly for doing away with the no-detention policy till Class VIII.
The policy, framed under the Right to Education Act to allow all students to clear examinations and be promoted to the next class till Class VIII, has already come under a lot of criticism. Reports of students not being able to read simple sentences or solve simple mathematical problems have surfaced regularly.
Mr. Sisodia, who accompanied Ms. Irani at a two-day national yoga teachers’ conference at the Talkatora Stadium here, where the latter launched syllabus and course material for the yoga classes, said he had once again requested the Union Minister to remove the no-detention policy till Class VIII.
“Education in schools till Class VIII is in a bad shape because of this policy,” tweeted Mr. Sisodia, who also holds the Education portfolio, after attending the conference.
An education panel constituted by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), had earlier recommended that the government review the no-detention policy.
Addressing the conference, Mr. Sisodia said the Delhi government was working on a project under which it would reduce the main syllabus by 25 per cent and replace it with “the most essential subjects of living life”, such as yoga, music, sports and theatre.
The policy allows all students to be promoted to the next grade till Class VIII. Reports of students not being able to read simple sentences or solve simple mathematical problems have surfaced regularly
