Subhas Sarkar said the success of any programme is contingent upon the district and sub-district level of educational administration. Source: Twitter
The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) organised a virtual ceremony for the 5th National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration on February 10.
Minister of state for education Subhas Sarkar was invited to present the awards to district and block level education officers from the 29 states and union territories of the country. This year, more than a hundred officers received an award or certificate of appreciation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarkar said, “District education officers are the key link between the system-level administration and the field-level educational administration. Their role is important in ensuring effective implementation of policies and programmes and efficient delivery of educational services.”
Sarkar also highlighted the role of the block level education officers as they are the actual implementing agencies at the field level. He further said that the success of any programme and desired results are contingent upon the district and sub-district level of educational administration. An efficient officer at these levels can make a big difference.
The minister was happy to learn that the officers working at the field level have adopted innovative ideas and strategies to enhance the mode of educational delivery. “These officers have taken initiatives to adopt innovative strategies to overcome some of the challenges to improve the delivery mechanism. Their methods have resulted in positive outcomes,” Sarkar added.
He further stated that the government is committed to ensure equitable quality education and this commitment is also explicitly mentioned in the NEP 2020.
The National Award for Innovation in Educational Administration scheme for district and block level education officers was launched by NIEPA in 2014 with an aim to encourage innovations and good practices in educational administration at the grassroots level in order to improve the functioning of the public system of education.
The main objective of this programme is to recognise innovative ideas and practices adopted by the district and block level education officers for effective management of the educational administrative system at the district and block levels, and ensuring institutional development and performance at the school level.
Some of the areas wherein the officers have initiated many interventions include the use of information and communications technology (ICT) to the extent of digital classrooms; use of Facebook and WhatsApp; mobilisation of physical, human and financial resources; improving infrastructure facilities within schools; community mobilisation and support; skill building, especially language skills; capacity building of teachers; and interventions related to enhancement in the quality of the overall function of schools.