CBSE SQAAF Self-Assessment for 2024 - A Guide for Affiliated School

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, maintaining and improving the quality of schools is paramount. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a significant step in this direction by introducing the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF). This initiative aims to standardize and elevate the educational standards across CBSE-affiliated schools. In this blog post, we will delve into the recent circular regarding the self-assessment on the SQAAF portal for the year 2024 and understand its implications for schools.

Key Details for the Self-Assessment on the SQAAF Portal

Circular Overview

As per Circular No. 14/2023 dated March 24, 2023, and the notification dated January 2, 2024, CBSE has mandated schools to undertake self-assessment on the SQAAF portal between April 1 and December 31 every year, and the SQAAF portal is now open for the Year 2024. This self-assessment is a critical component of the broader initiative to ensure continuous improvement and accountability within schools.

Important Points to Note:

Before embarking on the self-assessment process, schools need to be mindful of several crucial aspects:

1. Self-Improvement Plan: After completing the self-assessment for all domains, schools are required to fill out a Self-Improvement Plan. This plan is essential as it will guide schools in identifying areas that need enhancement and in formulating strategies to address them.

2. Domain-Wise Submission: The Self-Improvement Plan must be submitted domain-wise, ensuring a comprehensive and structured approach to school improvement.

3. Final Submission: It is important to note that once the self-assessment is submitted, schools will not be able to make any edits. Therefore, careful review and accuracy are paramount before final submission.

4. Report Download: After the final submission, schools can download their report. This report will serve as a documented record of their assessment and the subsequent areas identified for improvement.

5. Score Card Availability: For the year 2023, only the overall score card will be available on the portal. This provides a holistic view of the school's performance across various domains.

Mandatory Self-Assessment for Affiliation Processes

The self-assessment as per the SQAAF has been made mandatory for schools seeking fresh affiliation, switchover, upgradation, or extension on the SARAS Portal for the academic session 2024-25 and onwards. This requirement underscores CBSE's commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring that all affiliated schools are engaged in continuous improvement processes.

Why SQAAF Matters?

The SQAAF is more than just a compliance requirement; it is a strategic tool designed to foster a culture of self-reflection and improvement within schools. By engaging in this systematic self-assessment, schools can:

- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Gain a clear understanding of their strengths and areas needing improvement.

- Develop Strategic Plans: Create targeted plans to address identified weaknesses and enhance overall educational quality.

- Enhance Accountability: Promote transparency and accountability, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the school's performance and improvement plans.

- Improve Student Outcomes: Ultimately, the goal of SQAAF is to improve the quality of education, thereby enhancing student outcomes and overall school effectiveness.

Conclusion

The implementation of the SQAAF self-assessment process marks a significant milestone in CBSE's ongoing efforts to ensure educational excellence. By adhering to the guidelines and leveraging the insights gained from the self-assessment, schools can make meaningful strides in their journey towards continuous improvement. As we move forward, it is essential for all CBSE-affiliated schools to embrace this initiative, thereby contributing to the collective goal of providing high-quality education to students across the nation.

For more detailed information, schools are encouraged to refer to Circular No. 14/2023 and the related notification on the CBSE Academic website. 

To assist Schools in their SQAAF Journey, Luneblaze provides a comprehensive AI-enabled end-to-end solution to schools for all their accreditation criteria needs, be it documents & evidence creation, self-assessment filing support on the CBSE SQAAF portal, workflow management, 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.

Together, let’s raise educational standards. Partner with Luneblaze for SQAAF success. Reach out: sqaaf@luneblaze.com

Credits:CBSE SQAAF