Frequently Asked Questions on SQAAF

1. When and how can a school undertake Assessment on SQAAF Portal? 

The schools can undertake self-assessment against the SQAA Framework on the CBSE SQAA Portal every year before 31st December (Portal User Guide is available at https://saras.cbse.gov.in/sqaa ).  

2. What is the Validity of Self-Assessment on SQAAF Portal?

The self-assessment submitted by the school on the SQAAF Portal would be valid for a period of one year. In case, the validity has expired at time of submission of application for extension of affiliation, the school will have to undertake self-assessment again on the SQAAF Portal to fulfil mandatory requirements. 

3. If a school had already got the scorecard in 2023 in the month of March 2024 but couldn’t not fill SARAS portal for affiliation for 2024, what is to be done?

The schools affiliated to CBSE need to undertake assessment on SQAAF every year and not every session. The date for the SQAAF-2023 was extended to 31 March 2024 on the request of the schools. For 2024, the SQAAF is to be filled from 1 April, 2024 till 31 Dec., 2024

4. What is to be filled in SQAAF Portal for 2024- Self Improvement Plan or 2024-2025 or Self-Assessment? 

SQAAF is a yearly activity to be undertaken by the schools affiliated to the CBSE. The schools need to assess themselves by filling self-assessment first. Based on the score the school will prepare a self improvement plan as per their needs and available resources and should fill that too in the portal. Self-Improvement plan is for schools that will be filled after filling Self-Assessment as an improvement plan on received scores. So, for the same session, both will be filled by schools.

5. Are we supposed to fill 2024 Self-assessment first, get the auto generated scorecard and based on it make our Self Improvement Plan and upload it subsequently in 2024 only?

Yes. 

6. How to decide the prioritised area L/M/H in Self-improvement plan?

The school should prioritise the areas in which improvements have to be made first. If there are many recommendations and improvement targets to be achieved as identified by the school, then the school itself has to decide/prioritize the tasks to be achieved as low/medium/high. For details refer to SQAA Framework available in https://saras.cbse.gov.in/sqaa 

7. If out of total 84 standards (i.e. 336 points) given in the SQAA handbook, only 71 standards (i.e. 284 points) are applicable in ABCD schools due to its specific nature and geographical locations, what should the school do? 

SQAAF is generalised to all CBSE affiliated schools. It is not as per management. The assessment and improvement plan should be based on the conditions/resources available in the school. The score generated is for the schools to understand their level and plan for improvement accordingly. 

8. Does a school require Supporting Documents as per SQAA Framework for Self-Assessment to be uploaded in the portal? 

The schools would not be asked to upload supporting documents against the standards while undertaking self-assessment on SQAAF Portal. However, the schools are advised to keep record of the supporting documents at their end. The schools whose extension/affiliation/upgradation etc. are due will be asked to upload the documents if selected for Physical Quality Review.