In a significant move to enhance educational quality, the School Education Department of Rajasthan has announced a comprehensive system to rank its districts based on academic performance. The new framework, set to be implemented from the next academic year of 2026-27, aims to bring transparency and foster healthy competition among districts.
Key Parameters for District Ranking
The guidelines, issued on Tuesday, outline a multi-faceted approach to evaluation. Districts will be assessed on a combination of academic and infrastructural criteria. A major focus will be on foundational literacy and numeracy levels for students in grades 3 to 8, ensuring basic learning outcomes are met. The performance in board examinations will also carry significant weight.
To standardize teaching practices, the department has instructed teachers to assign homework three times a week and ensure its correction within the same week. Furthermore, the Shala Swasthya initiative, which involves regular health surveys of students, has been prioritized as a key ranking parameter.
Monitoring and Digital Engagement
Beyond classroom outcomes, the ranking system will scrutinize administrative and monitoring efficiency. Officials will track the ratio of actual school inspection visits against the targeted number for each district. During these visits, inspectors must verify if activities from textbooks and workbooks designed to strengthen foundational concepts are being conducted regularly.
For primary classes, the completion of activity-based learning kits will be monitored. Teacher engagement on the digital front is also crucial. The department will check the usage of the Shikshak mobile application to access teaching content developed for the Prakhar campaign and the foundational literacy and numeracy campaign.
Infrastructure and Weightage System
Basic amenities are integral to the ranking methodology. Schools must have usable toilets and consistent water availability to score well. The department has clarified that the ranking parameters will be of two types: full-year parameters carrying 80% weightage and quarterly parameters based on state priorities, which will hold the remaining 20% weightage. The directorate will finalize the major priorities and assign specific weightages and thresholds.
This initiative marks a departure from the current system, where no formal ranking mechanism exists, and performance is primarily reviewed through meetings. The new district ranking system is expected to provide a data-driven roadmap for improving educational standards across Rajasthan.
