The SCERT had recently conducted a pilot survey in four schools in the state and found that most of the students who were made to repeat in the same class did not do well in the next academic year.

Two of the four schools surveyed were government schools and two were private.

According to the survey, all the students of the private schools who were made to repeat the class could not score more than 50 per cent marks.

On the other hand, in government schools, 68 per cent students who repeated their study in class VI, 84 per cent such students in class VII and 80 per cent in class VIII secured less than 50 per cent marks.

The state already has “a no-detention policy” for students till class IV.

Besides, children in primary schools are promoted to next class irrespective of their level of performance. With the Right to Education Act in place, which ensures education to all children of 6-14 years of age, the children cannot be detained till class VIII.

However in order to comply with the RTE provision, the state government needs to frame its own rules.

“We are discussing the matter with teachers and will take a decision which is in the interest of students,” said Partha De, state school education minister.

Experts said a child who is made to repeat in the same class does not show any significant improvement.