Education board member says govt resolution may reach schools today; Std I-VIII students who failed this year may have reason to cheer

'No child left behind' GR likely anytime now

Education board member says govt resolution may reach schools today; Std I-VIII students who failed this year may have reason to cheer

The government resolution on a clause in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which makes clear that no student between 6 and 14 years of age can be expelled or held back in any class is expected to reach state schools within two days, according to a State Board member.

The good news is that students who have been held back after their results were declared in April may just get promoted, said the member.

Suicide problem
In the recent past, there have been a spate of suicides by students in the state, forcing many to ask the question whether it was not the pressure on students that was pushing them to take the drastic step.

A student in Std VII committed suicide at his Millat Nagar residence in Mumbai after learning that he had failed for the second time in the same class in April this year.

Minister for School Education Balasaheb Thorat at that time had stated that there would be adequate care taken of weak students and had asked the school education department to work out an action plan to ensure that no student fails up to Class VIII.

Optimistic
Thorat told Mid DAY, "We are optimistic that the GR will be cleared from the Centre today. We are expecting that it will be applicable for students who have failed in the academic year 2009-2010."

Francis Swamy, principal in a Mumbai-based school and one of the state board members, said, "The GR is expected to come to all schools today. Parents are also waiting for the GR."

Saifia Sheikh, principal, Roseland English School in Bibvewadi, said, "We have heard that students who have failed this year will also be promoted, but we hardly have such students. We are also waiting to get the GR so that our parents are informed about it."