On Wednesday, the human resource development ministry discussed three issues - reducing weight of bags and no bag till Class II, making Class X board examination compulsory for CBSE schools and a no-detention policy with experts, education ministers and academicians at the Central Advisory Board of Education.

In the no-detention policy under Right to Education Act, 2009, students automatically win promotion to the next class without being held back even if they do not manage a pass grade. It is followed till students reach Class VIII.

CB Singh, the director of DY Patil Pushpalata Patil International School, said: "The no-detention policy should be scraped because it depreciates quality of education, especially in government schools where Class VI students are even able to write their name. As far as weight of bag is concerned, it should be reduced. But students till Class II must bring their bag to maintain the tradition of reading story books and poems with their family. And the class X board exam must be compulsory to know the educational level of the students."

Anita Choudhary, principal, The Tribhuvan School, said: "No-detention policy increases the magnitude of the problem when students go to higher classes. External board exam of Class X is compulsory because the school is not impartial in giving marks."

Bhaskar Thakur, a Class X student of Loyola High School, said: "In this education system in Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation, there are many loopholes. About 40 per cent of marks are in the hands of teachers. Some schools also give 10 CGPA to almost all students. The marks are given on decorative aspects of the assignments and hence marks aren't given according to merit. Class X board exam must be compulsory to know the potential."

Najaf Abbas Jafri, an UKG student of Don Bosco Academy, said: "My school bag weighs around 3kg everyday and I have to carry all textbooks and notebooks. In the morning, my mother carries my bag till my bus stand and in school I have to carry it. Because of the weight, my back sometimes aches very severely. I wish this policy is implemented and we do not have to carry any backpack, only lunch and water bottle."

Pragya Mishra, a parent, said: "My daughter never carried her school bag, as she is scared of developing aches in her body. Whenever she comes out of the school building, she hand overs her bag to me. If a no-bag system till Class II is implemented, it will prove to be an advantage for students and reduce the tension of parents too."