Odisha introduces academic accountability in schools through examinations

The Odisha government has proposed an amendment to the existing class promotion policy, allowing students in Class V and Class VIII an additional opportunity to clear their examinations for promotion. Those who fail to do so will be required to repeat the same class.

Introducing amendment to ensure academic accountability in schools, the government has proposed significant changes to the Odisha Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 through the Odisha Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Rules, 2025.

According to government, a structured examination system will be introduced for Class V and Class VIII students at the end of every academic year in order to ensure that foundational learning levels are achieved before students are promoted.

“All students of Class V and Class VIII will now have to appear for annual examinations. If a child fails in these examinations, he or she will be provided additional instruction and an opportunity for re-examination within two months of result declaration,” says School and Mass Education department in a statement.

“Students who fail to meet the required promotion criteria even after re-examination may be held back in the same class,” it says.

Under the existing class promotion policy, every student will automatically move to next class irrespective of their performance in examinations.

The State government has made it clear that no child will be expelled from school until the completion of elementary education.

“These amendments are in line with Section 38 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and will come into effect upon their publication in the Odisha Gazette. The changes reflect the State’s commitment to raising academic standards while ensuring no child is denied the right to education,” the statement mentions.