New education policy set to focus on weak students

In a bid to put a check on the dropout rate in schools and to improve the quality of education with special focus on the weakest students, the Delhi government on Wednesday announced a new education reform plan — Chunauti 2018. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said that the motto of the scheme being “no child will be left behind,” it will pay special focus on the weakest students of Class 9 and ensure that they pass Class 10 by 2018.

“It’s a comprehensive plan to improve quality and stop dropouts after Class 9 in government schools Under this scheme, students will be mapped and the weakest ones will be given special focus to enhance learning levels from Classes 6 to 9,” Mr Sisodia told reporters, adding, “We will ensure that the best teachers will work on the weakest students. No-detention policy is not a complete solution. Passing percentage of Class 9 students is decreasing every year. In 2013-14, 44 per cent students of Class 9 failed to pass while 48.26 per cent of students did not succeed during 2014-15. In 2015-16, 49.22 per cent of students of Class 9 failed to pass the examinations.”

Mr Sisodia said that though Delhi government has already proposed amendments in the Right to Education Act and the proposed bill is pending with the Centre, the city government can take some steps on its own to improve the quality of education in its schools.

“There are students who are intelligent but there are also those who are weak in writing, reading and other skills. Under Chunauti 2018, we will map these students and divide them into different groups. Thereafter the government will work on improving their skills,” he said

He also added that if required, the government will also hire guest teachers and school principals will be given a free-hand to hire teachers as per their school’s requirement,” he added.