Evaluation and Research

To support the implementation of improving the quality of education, it is necessary to obtain data, information and an analysis that can be assumed about the conditions and educational practices taking place in the school. Such analysis is carried out in the context of evaluation, research or developing educational practices. Below are some relevant processes in this context.

Evaluation of the competency of teachers

To obtain an accurate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of each teacher teaching in a school, a competency test involving knowledge, skills, character and commitment is required. This assessment is required before the teacher improvement process begins. This assessment can be carried out periodically, for example every six months, to see how much change or improvement has been made.This is one effective way of measuring the effectiveness of the quality improvement program being carried out.

School Diagnosis and Evaluation

Whenever there is an intervention program to improve educational standards at the school level then an early step must be a school diagnosis. The school diagnosis should look into areas such as; the school institution, the principal, teachers, students, resources, and relationships with the community. Data and information that is needed can be gathered through interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions with the stakeholders of the school concerned such as the principal, teachers, students, parents and the community members. Generally it is necessary to include also the directors of the foundation or school in the case of a private school or the education department in the case of a government school. To get an overall understanding of the teaching practice it is necessary to make observations during the teaching and learning time.

The results of the diagnosis will provide the contents of such a school improvement program. Periodic assessments should be carried out to view the success or improvement in the school quality improvement program.

Creating a regional educational map for quality improvement in education

To develop a focus for initiatives, it is vital to have a regional educational map. This educational map will include but is not restricted to the following:

• The number of school aged children in school
• The drop out rate
• Promotion rate
• The result of the final national examinations
• The ratio of students to teachers
• Teacher distribution
• Determining the competency of teachers
• Portrait of the learning quality Resources that are provided by the principal, teachers, and the school to up date themselves in the educational process
• Remunerations provided to the principal, teachers and school to provide continual school improvement
• Community awareness and participation towards education.