Driving Accountability in Education: UGC, NAAC Crisis, SQAAF Updates, and Luneblaze Accreditation Support!
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new two-step evaluation system to assess the progress of higher education institutions (HEIs) in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The process begins with Eligibility Qualifiers, where institutions must meet basic compliance standards with NEP 2020, followed by Quantifier Parameters, where HEIs respond to a series of questions based on NEP initiatives and UGC regulations. Institutions must provide accurate and verifiable evidence to support their compliance claims, with strict consequences for false declarations. HEIs that excel in compliance may gain privileges such as financial support, academic recognition, and greater autonomy. The UGC has also invited public feedback on the draft framework to refine the evaluation process. Source: [ugc.gov.in]
While the UGC's efforts aim to ensure adherence to national standards, challenges still persist, particularly in states like Telangana as a concerning 88% of colleges in the state operate without National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation, highlighting significant issues with the quality of education. Out of 2,083 colleges, only 12% have received NAAC accreditation, and several universities, including Osmania University, lack valid NAAC grades, further raising alarms. The NAAC grading system assesses institutions on key factors such as teaching, research, infrastructure, and governance. Accreditation is crucial for maintaining educational quality, influencing campus placements, funding opportunities, and institutional reputation. Institutions with NAAC grades above B are viewed as maintaining high quality, which is essential for securing corporate placements and boosting perceptions among students and parents. The absence of accreditation indicates serious concerns about the standard of education in Telangana's higher education sector. Source: [Telangana Today]
In parallel with UGC's higher education initiatives, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been taking significant steps to enhance educational practices at the school level. Recently, CBSE extended the last date for schools to submit their self-assessment on the SQAAF Portal for the year 2024. Originally scheduled to be completed annually from April 1 to December 31, 2024,? the submission deadline was then extended to January 31, 2025, in response to requests from schools. For 2025, the Self-Assessment period will run from February 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Schools are encouraged to prepare thoroughly for this comprehensive evaluation of systems and practices. Source: [www.cbse.gov.in]
In line with these comprehensive evaluations, CBSE has also planned a more targeted approach by randomly selecting a 5% sample of schools to undergo a Physical Quality Review for SQAAF, with key details for selected schools as follows: Notifications will be sent in advance, and participating schools must upload supporting documents aligned with SQAAF domains and standards. The review, led by CBSE experts, provides a valuable opportunity for schools to demonstrate their commitment to quality education. Importantly, schools will not experience any impact on their affiliation or upgradation process as a result of participating in this review. The final review report will be shared transparently via the SQAAF Portal, ensuring accountability and promoting excellence in education.
While CBSE is focused on supporting schools in their journey towards quality assurance, various institutions have also acknowledged the importance of effective support systems in navigating these evaluation processes. Ms. Kusum K P, Principal of SMS Academy of Central Education, Mythadi, Karnataka, praised Luneblaze for its crucial role in facilitating her school's SQAAF journey. The platform helped the school effectively navigate the challenges of documentation and meeting deadlines. The user-friendly portal was highly praised for its clear structure and easy navigation. The school particularly appreciated Luneblaze's support in respecting and adhering to CBSE timelines. The team at SMS Academy of Central Education expressed great satisfaction with the quick resolution of issues and the availability of Luneblaze’s resource persons at the click of a button or a call away. The institution highly recommends Luneblaze for schools looking for an efficient and supportive accreditation process.
Looking beyond school-level assessments, CBSE is also making strides in preparing students for future workforce demands. As part of its alignment with the NEP 2020 and NCF-School Education, CBSE is integrating skill-based education through key initiatives such as Skill Modules (Classes VI–XII) to develop practical skills, and Skill Subjects (Classes IX–XII), offering 22 subjects in Classes IX-X and 43 in XI-XII to bridge the gap between academics and real-world applications. Additionally, CBSE is ensuring structured skill development through NSQF Mapping, establishing Composite Skill Labs for hands-on learning, and focusing on Teacher Capacity Building through collaborations with industries. Experiential learning opportunities such as Skill Expos, Hackathons, and Industry Engagement Programs are also being organized to give students practical exposure. These initiatives ensure skill development is embedded within the curriculum, preparing students for workforce opportunities and lifelong learning. Source: [cbse.gov.in]
A significant step forward in revolutionizing SQAAF Implementation processes has been taken with the new partnership between Luneblaze and Chinmaya Vidyalaya Vasant Vihar New Delhi . Luneblaze deeply appreciates the trust placed by Principal Mrs. Archana Soni . Chinmaya Vidyalaya recognizes the need for efficiency and transparency in accreditation management.
To further support educational institutions, Luneblaze’s commitment is further shown through monthly SQAAF training sessions, focusing on practical suggestions for improvement, expert guidance, and networking opportunities. In January, a session on Curriculum in SQAAF Domain 1 was conducted, featuring Dr. Deepti Chaturvedi , ?Principal, Silicon City International School, a CBSE Resource Person, SQAAF Trainer and Rajya Sabha Fellow, as the expert speaker. This session, attended by over 3700 participants from 184 schools, emphasized practical insights into improving Curriculum planning and implementation in schools as per SQAAF. Feedback from various schools has been overwhelmingly positive.
Thank you for being part of this journey. More updates will follow as we continue to support schools and higher institutions in their commitment to excellence.
Together, let's raise educational standards. Luneblaze provides AI-enabled end-to-end solutions to educational institutions for all their accreditation-related needs, be it Documents & Evidence Creation, Self-Assessment Filing support on CBSE SQAAF Portal, Faculty Trainings, Audits, and Consultancy Support. With the help of Luneblaze’s AI-enabled solutions, institutions can organize and manage all their data related to accreditation and assessments like SQAAF for schools and NAAC accreditation in colleges.
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