Assam to bring back pass-fail system in schools

Guwahati, Oct 7:  Assam will now conduct examinations for Classes 5 and 8 in all the schools and the students who fail will be detained in the same class.

The decision was taken in a state cabinet meeting held this morning in Guwahati.

Briefing the media over the Cabinet decision, Assam Education Minister, Ranuj Pegu said that it was widely believed that the absence of a pass-fail system in the lower and primary sections in the schools as on date has adversely affected the education system in the state. “Hence, the government has decided to bring it back to the school level,” he said.

The education minister further said: "In the Right to Education Act, 2009, there were provisions of examinations from Class 1 onwards, but the unsuccessful students could not be detained in the same class. In 2019, the Assam government had amended the Act and accordingly the state cabinet today decided to take yearly examinations for students of classes 5 and 8. The unsuccessful students will be detained in the same class."

The failed candidates will be given a second chance to appear for a special examination which will be held after a gap of two months once the yearly exam results are out. The teachers will take remedial classes for them.

"However, the candidates who will fail in that examination held after two months too, will have to study in the same class for another year,” education minister Pegu said.