In a major change in school education, the central government has scrapped the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8 in schools governed by it. This move will now allow the authorities to fail students who do not clear the year-end exams.

Reportedly, around 16 states and two Union Territories have already done away with the no-detention policy for the two grades after an amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2019.

As per an official notification, if the students fail to clear the annual exams, they will be given additional coaching and an opportunity to take a re-exam within two months of the results.

The official notification stated that if the child appearing in the re-examination fails to fulfil the promotion criteria again, he shall be held back in fifth class or eighth class, as the case may be. 

It added that during the holding back of the child, the class teacher shall guide the child as well as the parents of the child, if necessary, and provide specialised inputs after identifying the learning gaps at various stages of assessment.

The government notification also clarified that no child can be expelled by any school until their education is complete. According to the senior Education Ministry officials, the notification will apply to more than 3,000 schools run by the central government, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navaodyala Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools.

Reports said that since school education is a state subject, states can make their decision in this regard. Notably, as of now 16 states and 2 UTs including Delhi have done away with the no-detention policy for these two classes. Meanwhile, Haryana and Puducherry have not made any decision yet, while remaining states and UTs have decided to continue with the policy, a senior official said.

Under the aegis of the no-detention policy, even if students failed the annual class 5 or class 8 exams, they were not allowed to be detained in the same class. In case a student failed the final 5th or 8th exams, they would be promoted. This same rule was applicable till Class 8. This amendment has now done away with the policy and students can be detained if they fail the year-end exam.

Bangladesh has formally requested India to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of the country, who has been residing in India since August 5, 2024. The interim government in Dhaka has sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, urging the extradition of the 77-year-old leader, who fled Bangladesh following mass protests that led to the downfall of her 16-year-long regime.

Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, has been living in exile in India since she was forced to leave amid growing political unrest in Bangladesh. In the wake of her departure, the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina, her ministers, advisors, and former military and civil officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, confirmed the diplomatic communication, saying, “We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government requesting her return for the judicial process in Bangladesh.”

In addition to the note, Jahangir Alam, the Home Advisor, revealed that the government has also sent a formal letter to India’s External Affairs Ministry, emphasizing the need for Hasina’s extradition. He mentioned that there is an existing extradition treaty between the two countries, which could be invoked to facilitate her return.

The diplomatic request comes in the wake of a visit by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Bangladesh. During his visit, Misri engaged in candid and constructive discussions with Nobel laureate and Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Misri also raised concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, and discussed the increasing tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the issue of Hasina’s stay in India was one of the topics of discussion during Misri’s visit. Yunus reportedly expressed concern over the political statements made by Hasina from her location in India, which have reportedly been exacerbating tensions.

Sheikh Hasina, speaking in a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, criticized the interim government of Bangladesh and accused Yunus of running a “fascist regime.” She alleged that the new regime under Yunus’s leadership had led to increased attacks on religious minorities and accused the interim government of undermining Bangladesh’s democratic progress. Hasina also lamented the reversal of her administration’s achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of democracy.

The political climate in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension as the interim government faces mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, over its treatment of opposition leaders and political dissent. The unfolding situation continues to capture attention both within Bangladesh and abroad, particularly with regard to the potential return of Sheikh Hasina.

The BJP on Monday released an Aarop Patra or chargesheet against Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi ahead of the assembly election.  The event was attended by BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur and city BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. 

Speaking to the media, Anurag Thakur said that the AAP promised to make Delhi schools world-class, yet over 2,00,000 students are still deprived of education. He added that AAP also promised 24/7 clean and free water, but today, thousands of families are forced to buy water from tankers after spending money.

The BJP MP continued that the party also promised free clinics and large hospitals in Delhi, but today 70 per cent of patients are compelled to seek treatment in private hospitals. He further mentioned that the AQI level once crossed 1200 and is still above 500. He also pointed out that AAP promised to make Delhi corruption-free, but eight ministers, one MP, and 15 MLAs from their party have already been to jail.

Furthermore, continuing his attack on Atishi-led AAP government, Anurag Thakur highlighted the froth in the river Yamuna. He said that people from Purvanchal used to perform Chhath Puja with devotion and rituals on the banks of the Yamuna but Arvind Kejriwal’s government had polluted the Yamuna so much that now celebrating the festival has stopped.

Mentioning that they need to save Delhi from Kejriwal’s corruption and pollution, the BJP MP appealed to Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna because if it is not cleaned by 2025. He added that they will hold Arvind Kejriwal accountable if Yamuna is not cleaned.

Furthermore, Anurag Thakur alleged that there have been multiple scams in the AAP government including the water board scam, the classroom scam, the Mohalla Clinic scam, the Waqf Board scam, the liquor scam, DTC scandals, and so on. He also asserted that Arvin Kejriwal is a friend of the corrupt and a criminal of Delhi.

He pointed out that AAP is the only government where the health minister, deputy CM, and CM were all in jail. This was not a government for the people but a government for the jail, Thakur said.

Reacting to the allegations, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal hit back saying that BJP has no agenda to contest elections. He added that the BJP should tell the people of Delhi what they have done for Delhi in 5 years.

Arvind Kejriwal noted that AAP has done a lot of work for Delhiites in terms of electricity, water, women’s travel, roads and many other things. Questioning what work has the BJP done, Kejriwal stated that the law and order situation in Delhi has collapsed. The AAP national convenor also said that the BJP has no Chief Minister face.