Shaala Siddhi: An Innovative Initiative towards Quality Assurance System
Shaala Siddhi is an innovative initiative towards a quality assurance system developed by India’s National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA). It is designed to assist schools in assessing their performance and identifying areas for improvement comprehensively and holistically.
Shaala Siddhi is an online platform that provides a structured framework for schools to self-evaluate their performance based on seven key domains: academic achievement, infrastructure and learning environment, governance and leadership, teacher competencies, student support and well-being, community participation, and innovation and best practices.
The tool allows schools to generate reports that highlight strengths and areas for improvement and provides recommendations for enhancing their performance. It also facilitates communication between schools and other stakeholders, such as parents, community members, and government officials, to improve transparency and accountability.
Shaala Siddhi aims to create a culture of continuous improvement in schools by promoting self-evaluation, reflection, and collaboration. It empowers schools to take ownership of their quality assurance processes and work towards achieving excellence in all aspects of education.
Issues, status, and challenges
Issues: One of the critical issues Shaala Siddhi faces is the lack of awareness and understanding of the tool among school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders. Many schools are unaware of the benefits of using Shaala Siddhi, and there is a lack of training and support available to help them use the tool effectively.
Another issue is the limited resources available to support the implementation of Shaala Siddhi. The tool requires significant time and effort to complete, and many schools may not have the necessary resources or capacity to undertake a comprehensive self-evaluation.
Status: Shaala Siddhi was launched in 2015 by the NIEPA in India. Since then, it has been adopted by thousands of schools nationwide. The tool has received positive feedback from schools and other stakeholders for its ability to promote self-evaluation and continuous improvement.
Challenges: One of the main challenges facing Shaala Siddhi is the need to improve the quality and relevance of the assessment criteria used in the tool. Some schools have raised concerns that the current criteria are too generic and do not adequately capture the unique characteristics and challenges of their school.
Shala Siddhi : Coverage March 2023
Another important challenge is the need to ensure that the data generated by Shaala Siddhi is used effectively to drive improvements in school performance. There is a risk that schools may view the tool as a one-off exercise rather than an ongoing process of self-evaluation and improvement.
Lastly, ensuring that Shaala Siddhi is accessible to all schools, including those in remote and disadvantaged areas, remains challenging. Some schools may lack the necessary infrastructure or connectivity to access the online platform, and there is a need to provide alternative methods for completing the self-evaluation process.
Which schools are covered?
Shaala Siddhi is designed for all schools in India, including government, private, and aided schools. The tool applies to all levels of education, from primary to secondary, and can be used by schools in both urban and rural areas.
Shaala Siddhi is not mandatory for schools to use. However, it is recommended by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and other education boards in India to promote self-evaluation and continuous improvement.
Any school can access the Shaala Siddhi online platform to conduct a comprehensive self-evaluation of their performance in seven key domains: academic achievement, infrastructure and learning environment, governance and leadership, teacher competencies, student support and well-being, community participation, and innovation and best practices.
Need to modify tools given NEP 2020
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizes the need for a student-centric, flexible, and holistic education system that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. The NEP also emphasizes the importance of using technology to enhance learning outcomes and promote self-evaluation and continuous improvement.
In this context, it may be necessary to modify the Shaala Siddhi tool to align with the objectives and priorities of the NEP. Some of the modifications that may be required include the following:
- Emphasizing the development of 21st-century skills: The NEP places a strong emphasis on the development of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and communication. The Shaala Siddhi tool may need to be modified to include criteria that assess the development of these skills.
- Encouraging innovation and experimentation: The NEP promotes innovative and experimental approaches to teaching and learning. The Shaala Siddhi tool may need to be modified to include criteria that assess the school’s efforts to promote innovation and experimentation in the classroom.
- Assessing the use of technology: The NEP emphasizes importance of using technology to enhance learning outcomes. The Shaala Siddhi tool may need to be modified to include criteria that assess the school’s use of technology in teaching, learning, and assessment.
Overall, while the Shaala Siddhi tool already addresses many of the critical domains and priorities outlined in the NEP, the tool may need to be modified to ensure it fully aligns with the new policy. This would help schools assess their performance in a way consistent with the new priorities and objectives of Indian education.
