‘No detention policy’ to continue in Tamil Nadu

Narayanan A, child rights activist, said that there have been no studies conducted to determine if the policy has helped retain children in school. “Without credible data, it is hard to say for certain. But while this policy coupled with noon meal schemes has enticed children to stay in school until Class 8, there is a huge number of dropouts after this point. At this juncture, children who are not good in studies will drop out and get odd jobs. More should be done to create interest among children to continue their education,” said the Director of Change India. 

The Pearson’s Voice of Teacher Survey 2016 findings revealed that student engagement level was below 50% in our state. The study also pointed out that learners in government schools were significantly less engaged (51%) than those in private schools (67%).

Dr K Shanmugavelayutham from Legal Resource Centre for Child Rights, said alternative mechanisms of evaluation should be implemented. “While the dropout rates are reduced through this policy, there is still the question of the quality of education,” he said.