Address learning gaps

Refer to ‘Detention revisited’; scrapping the no-detention policy is a major reform in India’s education system. It needs to be handled carefully to avoid problems like students dropping out. While many have welcomed the move as a step towards improving learning outcomes, concerns have been raised about its potential implications, especially for the marginalised students. This move will ensure foundational skills are not neglected while also addressing learning gaps. It also emphasises mastery of concepts rather than simply promoting students. Success will depend on teamwork among teachers, parents and policymakers to make sure the policy helps students and improves the education system.

Yash Pal Ralhan, by mail

Govt must review decision

Apropos of ‘Detention revisited’; the decision to reintroduce the detention system for students shows neither logic nor rationality. This system was done away with after recommendations by experts and child psychologists. Detention due to failing in exams will have a negative impact on students in the long run. Such a policy is not going to benefit them or help improve the educational standards. This is an incongruent action as schools are already facing the challenge of an increase in the dropout rate and a decline in enrolment. If schemes such as the mid-day meal weren’t run in schools, even the present strength of students would not have been achieved. This decision needs to be reviewed by the government.

AG Rajmohan, Anantapur (AP)

Fear of detention can be helpful

With reference to ‘Detention revisited’; the government has hit the bullseye by scrapping the no-detention policy. It worked for weak students who were unable to graduate from the rudimentary phase of learning. The fear of getting detained will make them work harder. Teachers will have more accountability. The quality of learning and education will improve. Students are the building blocks of the nation and the government should spare no effort to strengthen the education sector.

Neha Sharma, Nahan

Encourage sportspersons

With reference to ‘Give Manu her due’; just like the Padma awards, sports awards are also decided by an opaque and discriminatory system. After her performance in the Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s nomination for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award should have been the first to be announced even under this system marred by petty politics. Two medals out of the six won by the Indian contingent speak loud for her feat while representing a poor sporting nation. Hesitation in nominating her for the award will discourage other young sportspersons, especially women, who aim to attain glory despite all odds and government apathy.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Need strict rules to curb AI misuse

Refer to ‘The year of rapid strides in AI, space’; artificial intelligence is being utilised for augmenting research efforts for quickly obtaining results in the spheres of agriculture, healthcare, education and science. It will render positive assistance to improve our living standards. But means should also be designed to prevent the misuse of this advancement. Some unscrupulous elements are creating deepfakes with the help of AI to defraud gullible people, so this menace must be curbed soon. Overdependence on AI should be avoided as it may give wrong inferences due to inaccurate data. Rules and regulations must be framed and implemented strictly to avoid misuse of such technology.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Boost agriculture sector

Apropos of ‘How India’s economy can catch up with that of China’; from 1947 to 1991, India had an edge over China, but now, the latter is five notches ahead in sectors such as production. The question remains why India is lagging behind when we have better quality of domestic resources. If Nehru had not led the nation after Independence by developing basic infrastructure, we would have been 50 notches below China today. Each ministry should be headed by experts with full authority sans political interference. Our agriculture sector has huge potential to create wealth, generate employment and reduce poverty. The imbalance in our exports and imports is to our disadvantage.

BM Singh, Amritsar