'Learning outcomes' to be part of RTE: Says Prakash Javadekar

'Learning outcomes' will become a part of the Right to Education Act before March next year towards assessing reading and learning abilities of students in the absence of detention policy, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday. No exams in class 5 and 8, board exams return Speaking at the 'Agenda Aajtak' event, Javadekar said the decision to do away with class 10 board exams in CBSE schools was wrong. It was being reintroduced from the 2017-18 session, he added Javadekar said it will soon be left to the states to decide whether or not to conduct exams in class 5 and 8, albeit with two conditions-- that no exams shall be conducted till class 4 and that students who fail be provided to take supplementary tests to avoid a year's loss Prakash Javadekar in favour of full autonomy of institutions He urged Parliamentarians to realise that "letting go" of an institute after funding it was a wise thing to do, instead of trying to retain control over it. Other moves being taken Stressing that the Centre considers education to be a "national and not a political agenda", Javadekar said 20 new world class universities will be set up as part of the larger roadmap to retain bright students in the country, adding that funds amassed during demonetisation will aid the process Javadekar said phasing out of Rs 500 notes have helped tackle stone pelting in Kashmir and went on to link it with the high turnout in board exams in the Valley.