The Goan Nework
PANAJI
As much as 40% of all government schools in Goa will be upgraded thanks to Systemic School Improvement Program (SSIP), which is being led by the Directorate of Education.
The term “upgradation” in this case means that the school’s leadership takes complete ownership of the process of quality improvement. Tata Trusts is associated with the Adhyayan Quality Education Foundation, which is supporting SSIP.
Talking further about the upgradation, Satyajit Salian, head, education, Tata Trusts, said, “These 40% schools have chosen teaching and learning related standards in the quality framework for improvement. Based on this, it may be expected that there would be visible changes in innovative and engaged classrooms practices, where students are actively participating in their learning.”
SSIP will also address a pressing concern with government schools in the State “ the fact that the number of single-teacher government schools is at 30%, which should be reduced.
While addressing a number of issues affecting schools, SSIP will ensure that government schools continuously use data to analyze the impact of their efforts on students’ learning and work to improve quality of leadership and students’ learning outcomes.
A lot of work has already taken place under the programme.
For example: a pool of 177 assessors were trained, who evaluated 827 schools across Goa. The net result of the exercise was that government schools were guided on two standards which they wanted to improve in their school.
Salian said, “The first key enabler of this process is a common language of quality “ one that is data driven. Every stakeholder from the school principal to the management committee is being empowered to understand quality.”
“Systems are also being built to ensure that Asst District Educational Inspectors, District Education Officers and Dy Directors of Education visit schools to see their progress and extend support wherever required,” he continued.
Salian further said National Achievement Survey (NAS) scores in Maths and English across government schools in Goa are below the national average, which is an area of concern.
According to SSIP, 100% of government schools will be upgraded by March 2020 under the programme.
