Should schools be rated?

Posted by Ninad on September 29, 2009 under All Posts | Be the First to Comment

In the corporate world, one is used to a rating agency and the process of rating of a company. There are established rating agencies which regularly rate companies.

But, a rating agency for schools! It sounded incredible, till Kapil Sibal pushed it as part of his 100 day agenda.

Reputation and goodwill of a school is generally built over a period of time. Parents choose to send their children to a school based on the reputation it has acquired over time, and the consistent performance it has shown.

However, in recent times, we have seen several new schools spring up all over the country. Many school projects are in the pipeline and we will witness a large number of new schools jostling for the “reputation” of being a good school. You see so many advertisements of new schools – this was unheard of some years ago.

With this backdrop, the proposal to have all CBSE schools rated is welcome.

A draft note prepared by the CBSE Board has recommended that all CBSE schools should undergo formal accreditation by a set of rating agencies and repeat the process every few years.

There are more than 10,000 schools in India and abroad which are affiliated to the CBSE Board. Presently, the CBSE Board formally examines the quality of a school only at the time it seeks affiliation or wants to expand.

So, what will be the parameters for rating?

Faculty
Admission, assessment and evaluation procedure
Physical infrastructure and other facilities (sports, extra-curriculars)
Health & Safety of the students and teachers
Contribution to community
Complaints sent to rating agency

Private rating agencies can apply to the CBSE Board and get a license to become a rating agency. CBSE will set up an expert advisory committee to regulate these agencies.

When all this becomes operational, will it really have a big impact in the decision-making process of parents? Will it put pressure on schools to ensure that there is no slackening in the quality of the school to ensure that its rating remains high? Will it create more competition between schools?

A lot will depend on how the entire process of licensing and regulation is handled. If reputed rating agencies get into this activity, the entire methodology and process is bound to work well. In India, there is expertise available on rating of companies but rating agencies will need to build up expertise for rating of schools.

Good schools will always vie to get the highest rating and average schools will want to improve their ratings.

Even with a formal rating of a school, a parent will ultimately try and find out the actual reputation of the school. Rating will be an additional factor in the decision-making process.