A one-day state-level workshop, jointly organised by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and SCERT, Punjab, on “Quality Equity, and Innovation: A Roadmap for School Excellence in Punjab” marked a major step toward transforming the state’s school education ecosystem.
Held under the leadership of PSEB Chairman Dr Amarpal Singh (IAS Retd) the workshop focused on implementing the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAP), Punjab, a key initiative designed to help schools shift from compliance to excellence.
The framework aims to promote holistic quality across curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and leadership, ensuring uniform standards and board equivalence across all schools, strengthening teacher capacity and school leadership through professional development, and enabling real-time data transparency through digital dashboards and PQRs.
According to PSEB officials, this initiative will generate evidence-based data for policy planning and continuous improvement in both government and affiliated schools, preparing Punjab’s education system for global benchmarking and international recognition.
Dr Indrani Bhaduri, CEO, PARAKH (NCERT), commended Punjab’s proactive stance in aligning its assessment reforms with national frameworks, describing the state’s approach as “a model of equitable, transparent, and learner-centred education.”
Dheeraj Mittal, Under Secretary, and Anjali, Joint Secretary, CBSE, shared national best practices and insights on how quality frameworks are transforming learning outcomes and maintaining global standards.
Sreekanth Reddy, Consultant from IIT Delhi, lauded PSEB’s vision to enhance transparency and accountability in school functioning.
Experts from SCERT Sunil Kumar, State Coordinator, and Dr Navneet Kadd, ASPD, briefed participants on the project’s progress since its inception in 2021, acknowledging that administrative changes had caused delays but confirming that Punjab is now set to fast-track the implementation of quality benchmarks under PARAKH.
Eminent educationists Prof Kulwinder Singh and Prof Kuldeep Puri emphasised the need for a holistic approach to education that nurtures both academic and socio-psychological development.
The committee proposed that the framework be introduced in two to three districts initially before expanding across the state.
In his concluding remarks, the PSEB chairman appreciated the collective effort of national and state institutions. “Punjab’s journey towards school excellence must be rooted in quality, equity, and innovation. When PSEB and SCERT work together, every school government, aided, and affiliated becomes a part of the same mission: to serve the child first,” he said.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from PARAKH, NCERT, CBSE, IIT Delhi, SCERT, and PSEB to jointly design and implement a sustainable roadmap for achieving school excellence across Punjab.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from PARAKH, NCERT, CBSE, IIT Delhi, SCERT, and PSEB to jointly design and implement a sustainable roadmap for achieving school excellence across Punjab. (Express Photo) 
Share
