In a significant move towards enhancing educational standards and transparency, the Maharashtra State School Education Department has introduced a comprehensive School Quality Assurance and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF). Under this framework, schools across the state will now be graded from A+ to C, providing a clear indication of the quality of education they offer.
The SQAAF outlines various parameters upon which schools will be evaluated, including basic infrastructure, teaching-learning standards, safety and security measures, and campus inclusiveness. This initiative, aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and guidelines from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), aims to raise the bar for educational excellence and accountability.
The State School Standards Authority (SSSA), established by the state education department, will oversee the implementation of the SQAAF and conduct assessments of schools. Comprising a six-member body led by the director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the SSSA will ensure rigorous evaluation processes to maintain integrity and accuracy.
Schools will be required to conduct annual self-assessments based on the SQAAF parameters, with external evaluations conducted every two years to verify the submitted data. The SSSA will develop a dedicated website where schools must disclose their information in a standardized format. This website will serve as a platform for public access to aggregated data, promoting transparency and informed decision-making for parents and stakeholders.
Speaking on the initiative, an official from the SCERT emphasized the importance of standardized data submission and external evaluations to ensure the credibility of the grading system. Schools will prominently display their grades, while individuals can access comprehensive information on the dedicated SSSA website, empowering them to make informed choices regarding their children’s education.
As Maharashtra embraces this progressive approach to school evaluation and accountability, the implementation of the SQAAF heralds a new era of transparency and excellence in the state’s education system.
