Once there was discussion about tying salaries to performance, this stuff was inevitable. “Social promotion” has gone on for decades (as anyone who has managed “preferred minorities” can testify), but only recently have the tools emerged to expose it so easily and quickly.
These policies seriously harm race relations, as the tokens awarded meaningless diplomas and degrees then go out into a world where they have little economic value. They figure they have the same “qualifications” as their non-preferred peers, yet never earn as much (if they are hired at all). Rather than examine the root cause, they attribute it to racism - and pass that sentiment along to each following generation.
social promotion has been sold as a caring tool... what the school systems isn’t saying, is social promotion is a money saver.
They actively DO NOT WANT children to repeat grades,as it steals from their budget.
They don’t care about these children... not one bit.