Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Project

• The Ministry of Education and the World Bank recently held a workshop on School-to-Work Transition under the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Program.

ABOUT STARS

• It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
• There are six Indian states which are covered under the STARS Project- Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha.
• The project is being implemented through the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
• The total cost of the project is approximately Rs. 5,718 crore.
• The World Bank has provided financial support worth Rs. 3700 crores through International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is the lending arm of the World
• Its focus is on those elements that will most directly support school education enhancement.
• 2 major components
  • Strengthening of learning assessment systems, Establishing a National Assessment Center (PARAKH) etc. at National level.
• Strengthening Early Childhood Education, classroom instruction, Vocational education etc. at state level.

ABOUT PARAKH

• It stands for The Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.
• PARAKH has been launched as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 that envisaged a standard-setting body to advise school boards regarding new assessment patterns and latest research, and promote collaborations between them.
• It will be tasked with holding periodic learning outcomes tests like the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys.