Bhubaneswar, July 9, 2025: The Odisha Government has proposed a major reform in the state’s education system by introducing amendments to the Odisha Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010. The new proposal, titled the Odisha Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Rules, 2025, seeks to strengthen academic accountability and ensure that students acquire essential learning outcomes before progressing to higher classes.
According to the amendment, a structured examination system will be implemented for students in Class V and Class VIII at the end of every academic year. This initiative marks a significant shift from the earlier practice of automatic promotion, emphasizing the importance of assessing foundational competencies before students advance to the next level.
Under the revised system, all students in these two key grades will be required to appear for annual examinations. If a student is unable to meet the prescribed learning standards and fails the exam, he or she will receive additional instructional support designed to bridge learning gaps. A re-examination will be conducted within two months from the date of result declaration, offering students a fair opportunity to demonstrate improvement and achieve promotion criteria.
In cases where a student does not pass the re-examination, the amendment authorizes schools to retain the child in the same class for another academic year. This provision, while enforcing accountability, is aimed at ensuring that no child is promoted without attaining the necessary educational competencies essential for future learning.
However, the government has clarified that no student shall be expelled or removed from school until the completion of elementary education, thereby safeguarding the constitutional right to education under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Officials from the School and Mass Education Department stated that the decision aligns with Section 38 of the RTE Act, 2009, which empowers states to frame rules for effective implementation of the Act. They added that the amendment intends to improve learning outcomes, strengthen the evaluation process, and hold schools more accountable for the academic progress of their students.
Education experts have welcomed the move, noting that it will bring much-needed structure to the learning process at the primary and upper primary levels. They believe that early intervention at Classes V and VIII will help identify learning deficiencies and address them before students enter secondary education.
The proposed amendment will come into effect after its publication in the Odisha Gazette. Once enforced, the measure is expected to mark a turning point in the state’s approach to foundational learning, striking a balance between academic rigour and inclusive education.
By introducing these changes, the Odisha Government reiterates its commitment to raising educational standards, improving accountability within schools, and ensuring that every child receives quality education without being deprived of their right to continue learning.
