All About Planning under Samagra Shiksha 2023
Over time, the Ministry of Education has launched many Centrally sponsored Schemes to attain the status of universal school education in India. The most recent of such schemes is the Samagra Shiksha which emerged out of the merger of the teacher education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and RMSA, which was launched in 2018. The scheme is the most comprehensive and is under implementation on a pan-India basis. Annual plans are being formulated at the state and district levels; the entire Country is covered under the scheme. One of the essential components of the scheme is its planning methodology, by which state and district plans are supposed to be developed.
This note presents the planning process under Samagra Shiksha being followed in India.
How are plans under Samagra Shiksha being formulated?
Samagra Shiksha is a centrally sponsored scheme for school education that aims to provide equitable and inclusive education to all children from pre-school to senior secondary levels. The formulation of plans under Samagra Shiksha happens at both the state and district levels, each with its specific responsibilities.
At the state level, the planning process for Samagra Shiksha involves the preparation of a State Annual Work Plan and Budget (SAWPB). The SAWPB outlines the state’s education priorities and strategies for achieving the goals of the Samagra Shiksha scheme. It also includes the proposed budget for implementing the scheme in the state. The state-level planning process is overseen by the State Project Director (SPD), who is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of Samagra Shiksha in the state.
At the district level, the planning process for Samagra Shiksha is focused on preparing an Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for each district. The AWPB outlines the district’s specific education priorities and strategies for achieving the goals of Samagra Shiksha at the local level. The district-level planning process is overseen by the District Project Coordinator (DPC), who is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of Samagra Shiksha in the district.
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Both the state and district-level planning processes involve consultation with relevant stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, and community members. The plans are based on a needs assessment and a review of previous implementation experiences and are expected to be evidence-based and data-driven. The plans are also expected to align with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.
Are there planning formats? EXCEL sheets?
Yes, planning formats and Excel sheets are used in the planning process under Samagra Shiksha at both the state and district levels. These formats and sheets are designed to facilitate the planning process and ensure consistency and standardization across different levels.
At the state level, the State Annual Work Plan and Budget (SAWPB) is expected to be typically prepared using a standardized format provided by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This format includes different sections for outlining the state’s education priorities, strategies, and activities and providing details on the proposed budget and expenditure. The SAWPB format may also include indicators and targets for monitoring and evaluation.
At the district level, the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) is typically prepared using a similar format, with some variations depending on the specific requirements and priorities of the district. The AWPB format may also include separate sheets or templates for different activities or components of the Samagra Shiksha scheme, such as teacher training, school infrastructure development, or student support programs.
Excel sheets may also be used to facilitate the planning and budgeting process at both the state and district levels. These sheets may include pre-populated formulas and templates for calculating and tracking budgets and expenditures and monitoring progress against targets and indicators. Excel sheets may also be used to generate reports and dashboards for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Overall, the planning formats and Excel sheets used under Samagra Shiksha are designed to facilitate the planning process, ensure standardization and consistency, and enable effective monitoring and evaluation of the scheme’s implementation.
How rigorous is plan formulation of Samagra Shiksha?
The plan formulation process under Samagra Shiksha is intended to be rigorous and evidence-based, ensuring that the plans are based on a thorough needs assessment and review of previous implementation experiences. The process is typically expetded to be carried out through consultations and meetings with relevant stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, parents, and community members.
The planning process is expected to be based on the comprehensive analysis of the education sector in the state or district, including the current state of infrastructure and facilities, teacher training and development, curriculum and assessment systems, student learning outcomes, and the availability of educational resources and materials. This analysis identifies specific education priorities, and strategies and activities are developed to address these priorities.
The planning process also involves the development of a detailed budget and expenditure plan, which outlines the resources required to implement the proposed strategies and activities. The budget plan is expected to be realistic, feasible, and aligned with the overall education priorities and objectives of the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
Once the plans are formulated, they are subject to a review and approval process at the state or district level, depending on the level of planning. This review process is intended to ensure that the plans are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and that they are evidence-based and data-driven.
Overall, the plan formulation process under Samagra Shiksha is expected to be rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring that the plans are based on a thorough needs assessment and review of previous implementation experiences. This is essential for ensuring that the plans are effective and can lead to positive outcomes for students and the education system.
Who is engaged in state and district plan formulation?
State and district plan formulation under Samagra Shiksha typically involves a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, education experts, school administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. The involvement of these stakeholders is critical to ensure that the plans are evidence-based, relevant, and as per the need and priorities of the education system at the state or district level.
At the state level, the planning process is typically led by the State Project Director (SPD), who is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme in the state. The SPD is supported by a team of officials from the State Education Department, education experts, and consultants who provide technical support and guidance in the planning process.
In addition to government officials and education experts, the planning process at the state level typically involves consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. These stakeholders may be engaged through various means, such as surveys, focus group discussions, and public meetings, to gather their input and feedback on the education system in the state.
At the district level, the planning process is typically led by the District Project Coordinator (DPC), who is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme in the district. The DPC is supported by a team of officials from the District Education Department, education experts, and consultants who provide technical support and guidance in planning.
Similar to the state level, the planning process at the district level also involves consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. The involvement of these stakeholders is critical to ensure that the plans are contextually relevant and responsive to the needs and priorities of the education system at the district level.
Overall, the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders in the planning process is vital to ensure that the plans under Samagra Shiksha are evidence-based, contextually relevant, and responsive to the needs and priorities of the education system at the state or district level.
Are the plans participatory, rigorous, and developed as per the Samagra scheme?
The Samagra Shiksha scheme is designed to ensure that the education plans are developed through a rigorous and participatory process, which involves a wide range of stakeholders and is aligned with the goals and objectives of the scheme. However, the actual implementation of the scheme may vary depending on the capacity and resources available in different states and districts.
In some cases, the planning process may not be as rigorous or participatory as intended due to factors such as limited resources, capacity constraints, or bureaucratic hurdles. In addition, the quality of the plans may also vary depending on the level of expertise and experience of the planners, as well as the availability and quality of data and evidence to inform the planning process.
That being said, the Samagra Shiksha scheme provides a comprehensive framework and guidelines for planning and implementation, which is intended to ensure that the plans are developed through a rigorous and evidence-based process. The scheme also provides technical support and guidance to states and districts to help them develop and implement their education plans under the scheme’s guidelines and objectives.
Overall, while the actual implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme may vary depending on the capacity and resources available in different states and districts, the scheme is designed to promote a rigorous and participatory planning process aligned with the goals and objectives of the scheme.
Who appraises and approves plans at the state and district levels?
Approval of plans under Samagra Shiksha at the state and district levels is typically carried out by a designated committee or board responsible for reviewing and providing feedback on the plans.
At the state level, plans are appraised and approved by the State Project Approval Board (SPAB), which is chaired by the Principal Secretary or Secretary of the State Education Department. The SPAB is responsible for reviewing and approving the Annual Work Plan (AWP&B) submitted by the State Project Director (SPD) for implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme in the state.
The SPAB reviews the AWP&B following the guidelines and criteria specified by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and provides feedback and recommendations to the SPD for improving the plan. Once the AWP&B is finalized, the SPAB approves it and releases the funds for implementation.
At the district level, plans are appraised and approved by the District Approval Committee (DAC), which the District Magistrate or Collector chairs. The DAC is responsible for reviewing and approving the District Annual Work Plan and Budget (DAWP&B) submitted by the District Project Coordinator (DPC) for implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme in the district.
The DAC reviews the DAWP&B following the guidelines and criteria specified by the State Project Approval Board and provides feedback and recommendations to the DPC for improving the plan. Once the DAWP&B is finalized, the DAC approves it and releases the funds for implementation.
The appraisal and approval of plans under Samagra Shiksha at the state and district levels are carried out by designated committees or boards, which are responsible for ensuring that the plans are aligned with the goals and objectives of the scheme and meet the required guidelines and criteria.
Is there any scope to formulate school plans under Samagra?
Yes, under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, there is scope for formulating school plans, which are developed by the individual schools in consultation with the teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders. The school plans are an integral part of the overall education plans developed under the Samagra Shiksha scheme and are designed to ensure that each school’s specific needs and challenges are addressed in a targeted and effective manner.
The school plans typically include specific goals and objectives for improving the quality of education, enhancing students’ learning outcomes, and addressing any infrastructure or other resource-related gaps in the school. The plans are developed through a participatory process, which involves consultations with the various stakeholders and is aligned with the objectives of the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
The development and implementation of school plans are supported by various capacity-building initiatives, technical assistance, and other resources provided under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. This includes training and support for teachers and school leaders, provision of teaching-learning materials and resources, and support for infrastructure development and maintenance.
Overall, the school plans under the Samagra Shiksha scheme provide an essential mechanism for improving the quality of education at the individual school level and ensuring that each school’s specific needs and challenges are addressed in a targeted and effective manner.
Are schools developing a plan based on which district plans are developed?
Yes, under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, schools are expected to develop their school development plans (SDPs), which are then used as inputs for developing district education plans (DEPs). The SDPs are developed through a participatory process involving teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
The SDPs typically include specific goals and objectives for improving the quality of education, enhancing students’ learning outcomes, and addressing any infrastructure or other resource-related gaps in the school. The plans also identify the specific activities and interventions that will be undertaken to achieve the desired outcomes and the resources and support needed for their implementation.
The SDPs are reviewed and consolidated at the cluster level by the Cluster Resource Coordinators (CRCs) and Block Resource Coordinators (BRCs), who provide technical support and guidance to the schools in their respective clusters and blocks. The consolidated SDPs are then used as inputs for developing DEPs at the district level.
The DEPs are developed by the District Project Coordinators (DPCs) in consultation with the various stakeholders, including the schools, and are designed to address the specific needs and challenges of the district. The DEPs are aligned with the broader goals and objectives of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and are intended to ensure that the resources and support provided under the scheme are targeted and effective in addressing the specific needs of the district.
Overall, the development of SDPs by schools is an essential component of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and is intended to ensure that each school’s specific needs and challenges are identified and addressed in a targeted and effective manner through the development of district education plans. However, the extent to which the SDPs are actually used as inputs for developing DEPs may vary depending on the capacity and resources available at the district level.
What is there in the Samagra Guidelines not necessarily being followed?
Yes, while the Samagra Shiksha scheme provides guidelines for the development of school plans, district education plans, and other planning documents, the extent to which these guidelines are followed in practice varies at the state and district levels.
For example, while the Samagra Shiksha scheme emphasizes the importance of a participatory approach to planning, involving teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders in the development of school plans and district education plans, the actual extent of stakeholder engagement may vary depending on the capacity and resources available at the state and district levels. Similarly, while the scheme provides guidelines for developing monitoring and evaluation systems to track the implementation and outcomes of the plans, the actual implementation of these systems may also vary depending on the capacity and resources available at the state and district levels.
In addition, the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme may also be affected by a range of other factors, including administrative and bureaucratic challenges, political and economic factors, and local contextual factors, such as the availability of resources, infrastructure, and personnel.
Therefore, while the Samagra Shiksha scheme provides a framework for the development of school plans and district education plans, the actual implementation and effectiveness of these plans may vary depending on a range of factors, and there may be gaps between the guidelines provided by the scheme and the actual practice on the ground.
Who trains state-level planning officers?
The training of state-level planning officers under the Samagra Shiksha scheme is typically carried out by the Ministry of Education (formerly Ministry of HRD), Government of India, in collaboration with various national and international organizations and institutions.
The Ministry of Education conducts various training and capacity-building programs for state-level officers, including workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various aspects of planning and implementation under the scheme. These programs are designed to provide state-level officers skills and knowledge needed to develop and implement state-level plans and policies effectively.
In addition, the Ministry of Education also collaborates with various national and international institutions to provide technical support and expertise to state-level officers. These organizations and institutions may provide training, technical assistance, and other support to state-level officers to enhance their capacity to develop and implement plans and policies under the scheme.
Overall, the training and capacity building of state-level planning officers is an essential component of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and is intended to ensure that state-level officers have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement the scheme and improve the quality of education in the Country.
Are state and district officers trained to develop plans?
Yes, under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, state and district officers responsible for planning and implementation are typically provided with training and capacity-building support to develop and implement the plans effectively.
At the state level, the State Project Director (SPD) is responsible for the overall implementation of the scheme, including the development of state-level plans and policies. The SPD is supported by a team of technical and administrative staff responsible for various aspects of planning and implementation, including developing guidelines and procedures, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity-building support.
Similarly, at the district level, the District Project Coordinator (DPC) is responsible for implementing the scheme in the district, including the development of district education plans and coordinating activities at the block and cluster levels. A team of technical and administrative staff responsible for various aspects of planning and implementation, including developing school development plans and coordinating activities at the school level, supports the DPC.
The Samagra Shiksha scheme provides various training and capacity-building initiatives, including training programs, workshops, and technical support from education experts. These initiatives are designed to equip state and district officers with the skills and knowledge needed to develop and implement effective plans and policies under the scheme.
Overall, while the effectiveness of training and capacity-building initiatives may vary depending on a range of factors, including the quality and relevance of the training, the extent of support provided, and the capacity and motivation of the officers themselves, the provision of training and capacity building support is an essential component of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and is intended to ensure that state and district officers have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement the scheme.
What is the role of TSG of Samagra Shiksha?
The Technical Support Group (TSG) is a critical component of the Samagra Shiksha scheme. It is responsible for providing technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Education and state and district-level authorities in implementing the scheme.
The TSG comprises a team of technical experts in education, including specialists in curriculum development, teacher training, educational technology, monitoring and evaluation, and gender and inclusive education. The TSG works closely with the Ministry of Education, state and district level authorities, and other stakeholders to provide technical assistance and support on various aspects of the scheme’s implementation, including policy formulation, planning and budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building.
Specifically, the role of the TSG in the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme includes the following:
- Technical Assistance: The TSG provides technical assistance and support to state and district-level authorities in developing and implementing education policies, plans, and programs.
- Capacity Building: The TSG provides capacity-building support to state and district-level authorities, including training and capacity-building programs, to enhance their technical and managerial capacity to implement the scheme.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The TSG supports state and district-level authorities in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems to track the implementation and outcomes of the scheme.
- Research and Innovation: The TSG conducts research and innovation in the field of education and supports state and district-level authorities in developing and implementing innovative education programs and initiatives.
Overall, the Technical Support Group plays a critical role in implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme and is intended to provide technical assistance and support to state and district-level authorities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of education in the Country.
Who fund TSG?
The Technical Support Group (TSG) is funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The TSG is an integral part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme, and its activities are financed through the budget allocated for the scheme. The Ministry of Education provides the necessary funding for the TSG to carry out its activities, which include providing technical assistance and support to state and district-level authorities in the implementation of the scheme, conducting research and innovation in the field of education, and supporting capacity building and monitoring and evaluation activities. The TSG may also receive support from other national and international organizations and institutions, depending on the nature of its activities and the partnerships established by the Ministry of Education.
If plans are developed with the support of TSG, what is the role of NIEPA in planning?
NIEPA plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme by providing technical assistance and expertise in the areas of educational planning, management, and administration.
Specifically, NIEPA provides technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Education and state and district-level authorities in developing and implementing education policies, plans, and programs. This includes support for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of education programs and capacity building and training programs for education officials.
In the context of planning under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, NIEPA’s role is primarily to provide technical assistance and expertise to state and district-level authorities in developing and implementing education plans. This may include support for developing planning frameworks and guidelines, providing technical assistance to state and district-level planning officers, and conducting research and analysis to support planning activities.
While the Technical Support Group (TSG) also provides technical assistance and support to state and district-level authorities in implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme, NIEPA’s role explicitly focuses on education planning, management, and administration. The two organizations must work together closely to support planning activities under the scheme. The TSG provides technical assistance in curriculum development, teacher training, and educational technology. In contrast, NIEPA supports educational planning, management, and administration.
