Since the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in our state 12 years back, the state's education department introduced some changes to the Act last year. These amendments made it compulsory to hold exams for students in classes 5 and 8.

However, the recent exams for class 5 and 8 conducted by the state have raised concerns about students' performance. According to data collected by the Principals Association from 150 schools in the city, about 13% of class 8 students and 8% of class 5 students failed the exams held in April, following the amended RTE regulations. This marks the first time such assessments have been conducted in the past 12 years.

Jagdish Indalkar, the principal of Lion M P Bhuta Sion Saravajanik High School in Sion, expressed support for the amendments, saying, "This amendment is a positive step towards periodically evaluating students. However, the government should provide guidelines for offering remedial teaching and organizing re-examinations for these students."

Under the new rules, schools are required to provide remedial teaching for students who fail and arrange for improvement re-examinations. The results of these re-exams are expected to be announced three days before schools reopen on June 15th.