Enhancing Educational Quality and Community Participation
Date: November 16, 2023
The National Workshop on Shaala Siddhi held on November 16, 2023, at HIPA (Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration) in Shimla, marked a significant gathering of education leaders, administrators, and experts. The workshop was hosted by NIEPA (National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration) and chaired by Professor Pranati Panda, Head of NIEPA. The workshop aimed to delve into critical aspects of educational assessment and improvement.
Rakesh Kanwar, IAS, Secretary of Education for the Himachal Pradesh government, and Rajesh Sharma, IFS, State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha were the special guest in the workshop.
Professor Pranati Panda outlined the workshop’s thematic focus on key 7 indicators essential for the holistic development of the education system. These indicators included potential resources in schools, teacher learning and evaluation, learning outcomes and attainment, managing teacher performance and professional development, school leadership and management, inclusion, health and safety, and productive community participation.
Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, in his address, Secretary Rakesh Kumar emphasized that the focus should not only be on having the best infrastructure but on ensuring quality in education outcomes for students and teachers. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to introduce new initiatives for progress in the education sector, with an emphasis on increasing community participation.
The workshop witnessed active participation from representatives of various education research and comprehensive education directorates across states, including Bihar, New Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and West Bengal. The diverse representation added a valuable dimension to the discussions and contributed to the exchange of ideas and best practices.
In conclusion, the National Workshop on Shaala Siddhi served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders committed to advancing the quality of education in Himachal Pradesh and beyond. The shared insights and recommendations generated during the workshop are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to transform and improve the education landscape in the region.
