NEP 2020: STARS Project gets Approved by Central Government; Check Details Here

STARS project was approved on October 14, 2020, during the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

As per Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister stated that the initiative is a part of the New Education Policy to ensure the strengthening of the school education system across the country. 

During the press conference, Javadekar mentioned that the central government has begun implementing the NEP-2020. Under the process, it has sanctioned the project of Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS).

The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, will implement the centrally sponsored project. Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha are the six states covered in the project, he added.

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The World Bank-supported the STARS project will support the states with an estimated cost of Rs 5,718 crore in improving, implementing, reviewing, and interventions with the prime purpose of developing education outcomes. 

It will help schools to work on transition strategies for better labor market results as per the Education Ministry officials.

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He further said, “Learning outcomes are important, so there has to be teaching and learning. We have to improve the board exams, which will be competency-based. This will impact the processes of education in early childhood, and fundamental literacy has to be achieved. We have to train teachers, and a separate assessment board or institution will come into force. The program has been supported by the World Bank, which will provide financial support of up to Rs 3,700 crore.”

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The official added that PARAKH, an independent and autonomous institution, will be established and supported by the ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy.

A senior ministry official expressed his views stating, “The overall focus and components of the STARS project are aligned with the objectives of NEP of focusing on quality-based learning outcomes. The project envisions improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian school education system through interventions in selected states.”

Apart from this project, a similar ADB-funded project is also in the picture to be implemented in five states, including Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. All States will come together to share their different experiences and best practices followed by them.

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