1 | Page Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation in Education Needs Institutional Dialogue By Rita Mishra 1 Founder and Managing Trustee, Patang, Odisha PhD scholar, JNU, New Delhi Abstract There is an ongoing debate about bringing changes to the No Detention Provision (NDP) under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). The immediate reason for this is the unsubstantiated opinion that NDP is responsible for the poor learning outcomes reported for children. This paper argues that poor understanding of the concept of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), which is part of the provisions of the Act, combined with the absence of institutional dialogue amongst the major organisations involved in improving learning outcomes, are two major reasons for the low levels of educational achievement in students. This paper brings a fresh perspective to the ongoing debate by arguing that absence of collaborative engagement and cohesive action between different arms of the central government has resulted in the unwarranted understanding that NDP implies promotion without evaluation. 1 Context: Intent Misplaced This paper is written in response to the recent newspaper reports which are capturing the highly charged mood of policy makers, who are seriously contemplating on bringing changes to the No Detention provision (NDP) under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE Act 2009). What is inferred from these reports is that NDP is perceived as an impediment to learning. The implicit assumption on which this perception is based is that NDP has done away with the examination process, therefore, students have no fear of examination and this has resulted in poor motivation to learn. In other words, in their perception, NDP guarantees promotion in the academic ladder irrespective of educational achievement levels and thus prompts students and teachers to become non-serious about the educational process, particularly that of learning and evaluation. It is a serious misconception 1 This paper is yet to be published, to cite this paper please seek permission by writing to me ritashiba@gmail.com To know more about Patang visit - www.patangindia.org