The question of whether attendance should be mandatory for students is a complex one, with arguments both for and against. While consistent attendance is usually connected to better academic performance, there are also concerns about how it affects students’ well-being and the quality of their learning.
Here we explore the pros and cons of mandatory attendance, considering the possible positive and negative effects from different perspectives. By understanding the arguments on both sides, we can better evaluate the merits of this policy and its implications for student success.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) says that students in 10th and 12th Classes need to have at least 75% attendance to take the 2025 board exams.
What is Mandatory Attendance for Students?
Mandatory attendance means students must go to school or college every day unless they have a valid reason to miss, such as being sick. It’s a rule that ensures everyone attends class to learn and develop together.
Also Read: Co-Education- Pros and Cons
Pros of Mandatory Attendance
- Students who attend regularly are more likely to understand and retain information.
- Going to class regularly helps students make friends and work well in groups.
- Regular attendance can help prevent Attending school regularly can help keep students from dropping out of school.
- Students who are in school are less likely to do dangerous things.
- A strong attendance record can increase a student’s chances of finding a job.
Also Read: Peer Pressure— Pros and Cons
Cons of Mandatory Attendance
- For students who are struggling academically or emotionally, mandatory attendance can increase stress and anxiety.
- Mandatory attendance can limit students’ ability to pursue extracurricular activities or family obligations.
- For students who don’t like school, mandatory attendance can decrease their motivation to learn.
- Mandatory attendance can help sickness spread, especially during cold and flu times.
- For students who are not ready to learn or are not being taught effectively, mandatory attendance might not help them.
Also Read: Children’s Education Allowance
🚨🚨BIG: 75% Attendance mandatory for CBSE Class-10 and Class-12 Board Examination.
— truth. (@thetruthin) October 18, 2024
👇👇: Read more
In a recent development, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students appearing for the Class 10 and 12 board exams in 2025 must maintain a minimum… pic.twitter.com/eEWTM8ThTv
Proposed Laws for Mandatory Attendance in India
Universal Education Act
| Section | Details |
| Section 1 | Universal education means that every child aged 6 to 14 has the right to get free and required schooling. |
| Section 2 | The government must set up both public and private schools to make sure all kids can go to school. |
| Section 3 | Parents or guardians are legally responsible for making sure their children go to school regularly. |
| Section 4 | There are consequences for parents or guardians who don’t follow the rules about sending their kids to school. |
Also Read: Facebook vs Linkedin: Which One is Better?
Education Accountability Act
| Section | Details |
| Section 1 | Creates a National Education Accountability Board to oversee and assess the enforcement of compulsory attendance rules. |
| Section 2 | Mandates schools to keep precise attendance records and send periodic reports to the Board. |
| Section 3 | Includes ways to spot and tackle issues causing absenteeism, like poverty, child labor, and health problems. |
| Section 4 | Gives the Board the power to step in when students are frequently absent and take necessary actions to ensure they attend school. |
Also Read: Women Empowerment: Pros and Cons
Child Labor Prohibition Act
| Section | Details |
| Section 1 | Prohibits child labor and defines a child as any person under the age of 14. |
| Section 2 | Requires that child labor laws be enforced to keep kids in school. |
| Section 3 | Imposes fines on employers who break child labor laws. |
| Section 4 | Sets up ways to help child workers return to school and get back on track. |
Also Read: Government Winter Internships for Students
Health and Nutrition Act
| Section | Details |
| Section 1 | Aims to improve the health and good eating habits of children at school. |
| Section 2 | Make sure schools provide free or affordable meals and medical services. |
| Section 3 | Starts programs to fight malnutrition and other health issues that might keep kids from attending school. |
| Section 4 | Requires schools to make their environment safe and healthy for learning. |
Also Read: Scholarships for Engineering Students
Flexible Attendance Policies
Clear Guidelines and Expectations
- Clearly outline acceptable reasons for absence, such as illness, family emergencies, or religious observances.
- Set a minimum attendance threshold that students need to attend to move forward in their studies.
- Tell students and their parents about the attendance rules at the start of the school year.
Catching Up and Helping Out
- Provide make-up assignments.
- Think about special help for students who are often absent.
- Provide extra teaching and support.
Tracking and Helping Students
- Keep an eye on how often students come to school to see if they miss a lot of days.
- Reach out to students and families who are struggling with attendance to provide support and address underlying issues.
- Work with school counselors, social workers, and other professionals to develop a plan to help students.
Balance Flexibility with Accountability
- Ask students, parents, and teachers for their thoughts on how well the rules are working.
- Make sure students are doing their schoolwork and learning.
- Think about how too many absences can affect others.
Review and Modify
- Get opinions from students, parents, and teachers.
- Use this feedback and data to change the policy to make it work better.
- The flexible attendance policy should keep being checked and improved.
Also Read: Maharashtra Government Announces Free Higher Education for Girls from EWS, SEBC, and OBC Segments
Performance-Based Assessment
Performance-based assessment is a type of evaluation that measures a student’s ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-life situations. It’s different from regular tests that just check if students can remember facts.
Benefits
- Assesses advanced thinking abilities.
- Captures students’ interest and encourages participation.
- Provides valuable feedback.
- Prepares students for practical situations.
Challenges
- Time-consuming to develop, conduct, and evaluate.
- May involve some subjectivity in scoring.
- Needs extra materials and support.
Also Read: Online Vs Offline Learning
