Purpose and Goals of the SEQI:
The goal of the State-level โSchool Education Quality Indexโ (SEQI) is to institutionalize a focus on improving education outcomes (learning, access, equity) in India. It recognizes that school education is a subject on the Concurrent List and State-level leadership is critical for improving outcomes in cost-effective ways.
Te โSchool Education Quality Indexโ (SEQI) comprises a set of indicators thatcritically influence the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the school education sector. The SEQI is means to an end, so as to focus on improving teaching and learning in schools.
The SEQI will provide insights into each State/UTโs strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring more focused action and resources. Further, it seeks to encourage positive competition and to propel States and UTs to innovate to improve outcomes. It is hoped that calculation and dissemination of the SEQIwill:
a. shift the policy focus to educational outcomes rather than inputs and programs alone
b. encourage State-led innovation in cost-effective policy approaches to improve outcomes
c. facilitate sharing of best practices across States and UTs
Composition of the SEQI:
CategoryDomainNumber of indicatorsTotal weight of Domain1.Outcomes1.1 Learning outcomes and Quality123601.2 Access outcomes71401.3 Equity outcomes101502.Governance and Management2.1 Governance processes15350Grand total =441000
The total number of indicators has been kept small in number (44 in total, including 29 โOutcomeโ indicators and 15 โGovernance & Managementโ indicators). While other parameters are also relevant for assessment of education outcomes, it is desirable to focus on a critical few to begin with, for effective transformation.
The majority of the indicators are based on published information, for example, data for learning outcomes (NAS), access outcomes (UDISE) and equity (NAS and UDISE). For the rest of the indicators, States and UTs will submit information on the dedicated portal (with supporting evidence, wherever required). Most of this information is extremely important for smooth functioning of education administration and is already available at the State level. Many indicators under Governance and Management are easy to track from relevant government orders and notifications.
Salient features of the SEQI:
1. High weight on outcomes rather than inputs or specific processes: This reflects the view that States are the best judge on how best to design policies that reflect their circumstances, but also ensures that the focus remains on outcomes.
2. Equity is viewed through an outcome lens rather than a process lens: Instead of focusing on specific schemes for disadvantaged groupsto reduce inequity, the Index captures the reduction of outcome gaps in access and learning for disadvantaged groups. Hence, the indicators focus on retention, transition and learning outcomes, which automatically take into account inputs and processes. The aim is to encourage States to innovate in framing and implementing their own policies to achieve these goals.
3. Aims to reward continuous improvement:The Index does not use binary indicators since progress on most metrics is a continuous process. Hence, States and UTs would be recognized for continuous improvements on key measures of performance.
4. โLevelsโ versus โImprovementโ: Comparing the changes in the Index from time to time will make it possible to track โimprovementโ or progress of States. Variation on initial โlevelsโ across States is inevitable, but it is โimprovementโ relative to the initial level that will be the primary focus of the SEQI.
States and UTs will be ranked on their overall performance on the SEQI as well as according to its four constituent domains.
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