Private schools in Delhi raise concern over promotion policy

While the DoE has set a pass mark of 33% (33 out of 100) for the five main subjects, schools are objecting to the provision for 15 grace marks per subject, saying that it effectively reduces the required pass mark to 18 out of 100

Private schools in the Capital have raised concerns over the Directorate of Education’s (DoE) revised promotion policy for students in classes 9 and 11, saying that it dilutes the purpose of assessments by lowering the minimum marks required for promotion.

A senior DoE official said the policy was revised keeping in view the Covid situation in the Capital this year. (File photo)

While the DoE has set a pass mark of 33% (33 out of 100) for the five main subjects, schools are objecting to the provision for 15 grace marks per subject, saying that it effectively reduces the required pass mark to 18 out of 100.

Sudha Acharya, chairperson of the National Progressive School Conference (NPSC) that has over 120 Delhi schools as members, said, “The purpose of education is not to simply promote children to the next class. If a child is securing only 18 marks after continuous evaluation throughout the year, it means there is a cause of concern. If the students are not grade competent, they should not be promoted to the next class.”

A senior DoE official said the policy was revised keeping in view the Covid situation in the Capital this year.

Under the revised policy issued by the DoE on Friday, an extension of the 2020-21 promotion policy, promotions will be based on marks obtained in the mid-term (term-1), annual (term-2) tests, in addition to marks received in internal assessment, project, practical or all taken together.

“In view of the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the revised promotion policy 2020-21 is extended for the academic session 2021-22 also,” the DoE order said.

“A maximum of 15 grace marks will be awarded to a student to reach the minimum required 33 percent of marks in one or any number of subjects only for promotion to the next higher class,” the DoE stated.

The DoE circular said private schools can approach it for approval if they want to set different promotion criteria.

Acharya said as per the CBSE bylaws, students need to secure 33% in both theory and practical tests for promotion. “Because of the Covid scenario, we understood the need for a lenient approach last year. But the situation has improved now, and we shouldn’t continue with it. Children will stop studying if they know that they will be automatically promoted. This is also demotivating for the teachers,” said Acharya.

She said the NPSC will write to the CBSE to seek clarity about the promotion policy.

Another school administrator, who did not wish to be named, said that they are also awaiting clarity from the CBSE. “CBSE always governs the promotion policy in classes 9 to 12. Schools want to know who gets to decide the policy. If the CBSE is in charge, then why are we not following the usual criteria for the past few years. We need clarity about the policy and who gets to decide it,” said the school administrator.

The DoE circular, however, has stated that necessary changes had been made to the promotion policy in line with the assessment scheme issued by the CBSE for the current academic year.

A senior DoE official said the promotion policy was simply extended from last year. “Since the situation isn’t significantly different this year, the department decided to continue with the policy... If schools have concerns, they can write to the department,” said the official.