Maharashtra Implements Grading System to Ensure Quality Education

April 2, 2024, 5:29 p.m.

In a bid to enhance the quality of education across Maharashtra, schools will now undergo grading from A+ to C, akin to higher education institutions, indicating the standard of education they offer. This initiative aims to provide transparency and accountability in the education sector, with schools required to prominently display their grades. Additionally, the state will develop a dedicated website to provide easy access to this information for parents. The School Quality Assurance & Accreditation Framework (SQAAF) has been introduced by the state school education department, outlining various parameters for evaluating schools.

03_Maharashtra_Implements_Grading_System_to_Ensure_Quality_Education

These parameters encompass aspects such as infrastructure, teaching quality, child safety, and inclusivity, aligning with the guidelines set by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. To oversee the evaluation process, the State School Standard Authority (SSSA) has been established, comprising a six-member body led by the director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT). The SSSA will develop a website where schools must declare all relevant information, following a standardised format aligned with SQAAF parameters.

While schools will conduct self-evaluations annually, external evaluations by third parties will occur every two years to verify the submitted data. Based on these assessments, schools will receive grades, which they must prominently display, and the information will also be accessible to the public through the SSSA's dedicated website. A SCERT official emphasised that this process ensures transparency and accountability, with schools responsible for accurately reporting their data, ultimately contributing to the overall improvement of the education system in Maharashtra.