Heads of 101 higher secondary schools in Madurai educational district took part in a workshop on ‘Shaala Siddhi’ under National Programme on School Standards and Evaluation here on Friday.
Under this programme, initiated by National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, schools across the country are required to send a self-evaluation report, based on which a ranking base is created. ‘School Evaluation Dashboard-e Samiksha,’ an online platform, has been created for the purpose so that heads of schools can assess quality parameters on performance, infrastructure, staff and students. Later, NUEPA will depute examiners to inspect the school to check the veracity of the self-assessment. These modalities of evaluation were explained to the heads of government and corporation schools at the workshop. They were told that indicators such as health and hygiene, society participation and extra-curricular activities also played a seminal role in the e Samiksha process.
“The main aim of the evaluation is to improve the standard of schools. In Madurai, there are many schools without library or good toilets. On seeing the evaluation report, all stakeholders in the school, including parents, can demand better facilities. Once funds get sanctioned, the schools can improve the infrastructure,” said Chief Educational Officer N. Marimuthu.
The school heads were asked to pay special attention to areas where improvements were called for. “External examiners will specifically look at the notes compiled by the school and verify the status. Schools must ensure that there is no conflict while specifying needs,” they said.
Technology integration, particularly use of WhatsApp messenger, was discussed. Heads of corporation schools said teachers sent details of homework to parents of students. It also enabled teachers to contact parents.
“More such simple technologies can be employed at schools,” said M. Rajendran, head of a government school.
