CBSE asks schools to do self-assessment against SQAA framework; amends bye-laws as per NEP 2020

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has notified all schools to perform mandatory prior self-assessment against school quality assessment and assurance (SQAA) framework. CBSE has decided to implement SQAA framework to all its affiliated schools from the 2023-23 academic year while applying for fresh affiliation, switch over, upgradation and extensions of schools on SARAS portal.

The board has instructed all affiliated schools to undertake self-assessment on the SQAA portal every year between April 1 to December 31st. "It is hereby informed that all schools applying for Fresh Affiliation/Switch Over/Upgradation/Extension beyond April 2023 shall have to mandatorily submit the self assessment under SQAA. Applications under SARAS shall be processed only after the school has completed Self-Assessment against the Framework on the CBSE SQAA Portal," read a CBSE statement.

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SQAA framework: Self-assessment instructions, validity

The schools can undertake self-assessment against the SQAA framework on CBSE SQAA portal in the official CBSE website using annexure A and B. The board has also informed that affiliated schools whose extension is not due will also undertake self-assessment against the framework on SQAA Portal till December 2023.

The self-assessment will only be valid for a duration of one year. If the validity has expired at the time of submission, the school must re-do the process to fulfill all requirements. The board also advises schools to keep a record for the supporting documents on their end.

CBSE will later validate the self-assessment by a team of experts that will go through a random sample of 5 % of the total applications received under each category. The schools, selected randomly for physical quality review, will have to upload the supporting documents as and when directed.

The self-assessment will not be made public and would only be visible to schools after logging into the SQAA portal. CBSE will not be ranking schools on the bases of the self-assessment. The board will organise orientation sessions in the April 2023 for all the schools.

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CBSE adopts Bal-Vatika classes under NCF-FS 2022

The board also has modified 6 clauses under the affiliation bye laws as per the national education policy (NEP) 2020. CBSE has adopted the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stages 2022 and will be adopting the structure from the 2023-24 session.

The Board, in addition to its existing categories of affiliation, is expanding the affiliation of already existing affiliated schools by offering foundational education to Balvatika (pre-school) classes. This is subject to fulfilment of all other requirements as mandated by CBSE.

Therefore, the schools must enhance infrastructure such as class rooms and other requirements to implement the classes of the foundational stages. No additional land will be required for the additions of sections for the initial 03 years of foundational stage, said a CBSE statement.

The education board has also directed schools to check the NCERT-issued guidelines for the internal infrastructure for play school education on NCERT's official website. Schools must adopt and adapt NCF-FS 2022 and utilise 'Jadui Pitara, a collection of teaching-learning material prepared by NCERT for teaching the foundational years, CBSE further added.