Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has opted to retain the no-detention policy for students of Classes V and VIII for the academic year 2026–27, ensuring that no child will be held back on account of academic underperformance.
The decision has been taken as an interim measure, with the State awaiting detailed implementation guidelines from the Union Ministry of Education following recent amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) framework.
State officials clarified that while the Centre amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules in December 2024, the no-detention policy has not been formally withdrawn. In the absence of clear directions from the Union government, Goa will continue with the existing no-fail system.
Education Secretary said that the State would maintain the current practice until the Centre issues specific instructions on how the amended rules are to be enforced. He emphasised that the recent changes do not automatically abolish the no-detention provision. “The Centre has modified the 2010 RTE Rules, but it has not done away with the no-detention policy. The implementation guidelines are still awaited,” he said.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Education on December 16, 2024, amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, giving States the authority to allow schools to fail students who do not pass year-end examinations.
The gazette notification enables State governments to reintroduce regular examinations and detain students who fail to meet promotion standards, while also mandating remedial interventions to help students overcome learning deficiencies.
