SQAAF ( School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework

• 2025-08-19 12:00:00

• PARAKH NCERT

• By PARAKH

✨ Beyond Checklists: SQAAF 🌱 — A New Language for School Quality

India’s schools are dynamic ecosystems where leadership, community, and learning converge. The School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF), developed by PARAKH, National Assessment Centre of India under NCERT and inspired by NEP 2020, offers a shared vocabulary to nurture every school’s unique potential. More than a compliance tool, SQAAF is a call to action—a roadmap that reflects where we stand and charts how we grow.

🎯 Vision & Purpose

At its core, SQAAF transforms assessment into an engine for renewal rather than a mere reporting exercise. Anchored in NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework, it:

- Invites schools to reflect on their culture and practices  

- Guides strategic, data-driven improvement  

- Promotes transparent public disclosure of progress  

By turning data into insight, SQAAF unites teachers, students, families, and communities around a shared mission of equity and excellence.

🔧 Three Core Functions

SQAAF empowers schools through three interlocking pillars:

- Self-Assessment & Honest Reflection 🤔  

  Schools critically examine their strengths and gaps, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

- Strategic Improvement Planning 📈  

  Action plans align resources, timelines, and responsibilities—targeting areas that drive impact.

- Public Disclosure of Performance 🌐  

  Transparent reporting builds trust, invites community engagement, and holds institutions accountable.

Together, these functions ensure that every stakeholder becomes an active partner in the journey toward holistic quality.

🔍 The Five Domains Explained

1. Administration 🏫  

   Leadership that listens and learns. From strategic planning and resource management to safety protocols and teacher development, this domain asks: “Are we cultivating a school where everyone grows?”

2. Curriculum 📚  

   Learning that inspires. Beyond subjects, SQAAF emphasizes digital literacy, arts and sports integration, indigenous wisdom, multilingual instruction, and mental health support—ensuring relevance, joy, and flexibility.

3. Assessment 📝  

   Practices that empower. Competency-based and formative approaches, Holistic Progress Cards, credit systems, and community-linked projects shift focus from rote scores to reflection, mastery, and real-world application.

4. Infrastructure 🏗️  

   Spaces that uplift. Smart classrooms, green buildings, vibrant libraries, and accessible facilities create environments where safety, health, and dignity thrive.

5. Inclusiveness 🤝  

   Equity at the center. Specialized support for learners with disabilities, gender and cultural sensitivity, tribal engagement, dropout prevention, and talent nurture ensure every child belongs and flourishes.

Each domain includes standards, indicators, and exemplars—enabling schools to tailor action plans to their context and community needs.

🚀 A Journey of Growth

SQAAF frames quality as a progression through three aspirational levels:

1. Abhilasha (Aspiring): Launch self-assessment and gap analysis.  

2. Pragati (Progressing): Deploy action plans, monitor early successes, refine strategies.  

3. Jagriti (Exemplary): Embed best practices, mentor peers, and catalyze broader change.

These milestones celebrate growth rather than assign static ranks—making every achievement an invitation to aim higher.

🛡️ SSSA: The Guardian of Standards

The State School Standards Setting Authority (SSSA) partners with SQAAF to balance regulation with renewal. Its core functions include:

- Developing and updating foundational norms ⚖️  

- Publicly disclosing performance data 📊  

- Managing robust quality databases 🗄️  

- Addressing grievances and feedback loops 🔄  

Together, SQAAF and SSSA forge a resilient ecosystem that blends accountability with innovation.

💡 Why SQAAF Matters

Quality isn’t just compliance—it’s culture in action. SQAAF empowers schools to spotlight strengths, uncover gaps, and co-create solutions with their communities. By weaving reflection into renewal, every institution can transform into a hub of curiosity, dignity, and boundless possibility.

🔗 Join the Movement

Let’s make SQAAF a living conversation. Share your insights, celebrate progress, and collaborate across regions. When schools don’t just teach but awaken, we ignite the true spirit of learning—fueling India’s ascent toward an equitable, excellence-driven future.

SQAAF 🌱 #PARAKH 🏫 #NEP2020 📘 #SchoolTransformation 🚀 #InclusiveEducation 🤝 #AssessmentReform 📝 #HolisticDevelopment 🌈 #SSSA 🛡️ #EquityInAction ✨ #DignityDrivenDesign 🌟