A survey by the Karnataka School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Council (KSQAAC) has underscored, yet again, the poor quality of education in government schools in the State.
None of the 1,020 government schools surveyed, between July 2012 and February 2013, has qualified for awarding ‘A-Plus’, while only five got ‘A’ grade.
The survey, presents a dismal picture, with a majority of the schools surveyed obtaining ‘C’ grade, securing a score between 40 and 49.9 out of the total 100. The five schools that have obtained ‘A’ grade’ scored between 80 and 89.9, while 32 schools obtained ‘B-Plus’ with scores between 70 and 79.9. The survey shows that 122 schools obtained ‘B’ (60 – 69.9), 277 schools got ‘C-Plus’ (50–59.9) and 200 schools got ‘D’ (less than 40).
Chikkodi and Bidar
Topping the survey is Chikkodi education district which has four schools certified ‘A’. Eight schools in Chikkodi have got ‘B-Plus’. Bidar district has the maximum number of schools with the lowest rank. As many as 22 schools in Bidar have got ‘D’.
Interestingly, Chikkodi district had secured the top spot in last year’s SSLC results. Bidar, for four consecutive years, has remained at the last spot with the lowest pass percentage in the SSLC results.
The survey was carried out by the council to assess student achievement (which comprises 60 per cent of the assessment) and school assessment, which is based on five parameters — physical environment and facilities, learning environment, leadership, community participation, and innovative activities. The survey included self-assessment by schools as well as comprehensive assessment by external evaluators. A total of 95,868 students were assessed during the survey for their learning achievement.
Of the five parameters, 20 per cent weightage was given to physical environment and facilities, 60 per cent for learning environment, 10 per cent for leadership, and 5 per cent each for community participation and innovative activities.
Parameters analysis
Among the individual scores revealed in the five parameters, schools fared most poorly in ‘innovative activities’, followed by ‘physical environment and facilities’. As many as 350 of the total 1,020 schools secured a ‘D’ in innovative activities. Only 13 schools secured ‘A-Plus’ under this head.
In terms of physical environment 609 out of 1,020 secured less than 50 percentage points. North Karnataka districts such as Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur and Koppal had maximum number of schools with ‘D’ on this count.
At the other end of the spectrum, 84 schools secured ‘A-Plus’ in leadership. Chikmagalur district fared well on this count with 17 schools securing ‘A-Plus’.