New Delhi: The Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States/UTs for 2020–21, a special index for evidence-based comprehensive study of school education systems across States/UTs, was announced today by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
"With around 14.9 lakh schools, 95 lakh teachers, and nearly 26.5 crore students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, the Indian education system is one of the biggest in the world. To provide insights and data-driven processes on the performance and successes of school education across all States/UTs, DoSE&L developed PGI for States/UTs. Promoting evidence-based policymaking and emphasising course correction to achieve high-quality education for all are PGI's main goals. The PGI reports for the years 2017–18, 2018–19, and 2019–20 have so far been made available by DoSE&L. The current report is for the 2020–21 fiscal year "read the official press release.
The PGI structure consists of 1000 points across 70 indicators, which are categorised into Outcomes and Governance and Management, respectively These categories are further broken down into 5 domains viz. governance process, infrastructure and facilities, equity, and learning outcomes (GP).
PGI 2020-21 divided the States and UTs into ten grades, with Level 1 being the highest grade that can be earned by a State or UT scoring more than 950 out of a possible 1000 points.
Level 10 is the lowest grade and corresponds to a score of less than 551. The ultimate goal of PGI is to encourage States and UTs to implement multifaceted interventions that will result in highly sought ideal educational outcomes in all respects.
The Ministry informed that the PGI is expected to assist States and UTs in identifying the gaps and prioritising areas for intervention in order to ensure that the school education system is strong at all levels.
"In contrast to none in 2017–18 and four in 2019–20, a total of 7 States and UTs, including Kerala, Punjab, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, have obtained Level II (scoring 901–950) in 2020–21. The newest recruits to the state with the highest achievement level thus far are Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh "the statement added.
Ladakh, a newly created UT, improved significantly in PGI from Level 8 to Level 4 in 2020-21, or increased its score by 299 points as compared to 2019–20, for the biggest progress in a single year.
"The States'/UTs' PGI grades and scores from 2020–21 are proof of the PGI system's effectiveness. The PGI score broken down by indicator identifies the areas in which a state needs to advance. The PGI will display the relative performance of all States and UTs on a consistent scale, which motivates them to improve their performance and adopt best practises "the statement read.