Taking a dig at the 'No detention policy' yet again, state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on Thursday said that the decision taken in 2009 has made parents and teachers lethargic.

Speaking at a conference conducted by Assocham on 'Higher education sustainability and quality initiative', Chudasama said, "In any sector, be it agriculture, education, human resource, etc, quality should not lack. It is said that if a man is qualified, then all sectors are qualified. Major concern of every state in India and abroad is quality education. If a child's foundation is strong, we will not have to worry about quality in higher education.

"I am not criticising any government, but a decision, taken in 2009, to not detain any child till class 8 made parents, teachers as well as students lethargic. Because of that policy, parents, teachers and students stopped worrying about education as they knew, no matter what their ward will pass. Where does the quality go then?" he said.

This is not the first time Chudasama has voiced his opinion on scrapping the 'No detention policy' but time and again, he has been emphasizing on introducing examination at early classes. Lauding the central governments move on introducing exams in classes 5 and 8, state government here is contemplating to even introduce exams in Class 3.

He had said, "All the damage in the state of Gujarat has been done due to the no detention policy. Due to the policy, fear among students had gone which led to poor results. With no exams till class 8, how do you expect a child to perform well in higher standards? The result of the policy was seen during board exams."

The event witnessed participation from academicians from across the country. Institutes excelling in various fields including industry interface, placements, infrastructure, etc were given awards at the conference by the minister.