Gunotsav: A step towards quality education

Lalit Nath

(lalitnath784@gmail.com)

Gunotsav represents a resolute initiative by the Assam government to improve the quality of school education. It plays a pivotal role in evaluating students’ learning outcomes and ensuring the systematic development of school infrastructure. This programme assesses four key dimensions of schools: academic performance, co-curricular activities, infrastructure, and community participation.

Under Gunotsav, schools are graded into categories—A+, A, B, C, and D—based on performance. These evaluations are conducted by specially appointed government officials, ensuring a transparent and reliable process. The programme covers all government and provincialised primary and secondary schools, model tea garden schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose model schools.

The primary objective of Gunotsav is to achieve qualitative improvement in education. Special emphasis is placed on increasing student retention rates and reducing dropout rates. These efforts have not only enhanced the quality of education but have also inspired greater enthusiasm for learning among students. Education remains the cornerstone of societal progress, and quality education forms the foundation of a prosperous and equitable society.

Building on its previous successes, the Assam government has launched the ambitious sixth phase of Gunotsav 2025, aimed at a comprehensive evaluation and enhancement of the state’s education system. This edition seeks to create a more impactful learning environment while addressing emerging challenges in education.

Gunotsav 2025 is not merely an assessment programme, it is a vision for establishing a robust and equitable education system. Its primary goal is to identify gaps in student performance, comprehension, and skills, thereby increasing accountability. Additionally, it fosters collaboration among educators, parents, and policymakers to actively address these challenges.

This year’s programme encompasses 39,65,081 students across 44,094 government schools in Assam’s 35 districts. Evaluations are scheduled in three phases from January 6 to February 8, 2025. Advanced digital tools have been introduced to streamline the process and analyse data effectively. High-ranking officials, including the chief minister, legislators, and district commissioners, will actively participate in school visits, emphasizing the programme’s importance.

Schools are graded based on 90% academic performance, 5% co-curricular and other activities, and 5% community participation and contributions. Infrastructure is not included in the grading criteria. Evaluations are conducted using OMR-based systems to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Senior IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, along with other high-ranking officials, act as external evaluators. These evaluators remain present in schools throughout the assessment day, offering constructive recommendations for improvement and submitting confidential reports. Their involvement inspires confidence among stakeholders and fosters a sense of responsibility within the school community.

The outcomes of Gunotsav have led to significant steps in improving educational quality and infrastructure. The initiative has had a profound impact on Assam’s education system, encouraging many parents to transfer their children from private schools to government schools.

In the first edition of Gunotsav in 2017, 48,868 schools participated. Among them, 12.35% received an A+ grade, 26.45% an A grade, 27.9% a B grade, 18.75% a C grade, and 14.54% a D grade. Over the years, consistent efforts have resulted in remarkable improvements. In 2024, for instance, 35.76% of schools received an A+ grade, 46.05% an A grade, 14.2% a B grade, 3.18% a C grade, and only 0.81% a D grade.

Gunotsav has emerged as a transformative initiative, fostering a holistic educational environment by evaluating academic, co-curricular, and community participation aspects of schools. It has reduced dropout rates, encouraged student engagement, and laid a strong foundation for societal advancement.

Through Gunotsav 2025, the Assam government has set a clear goal of further strengthening the education system. Beyond standard evaluations, this initiative emphasizes improving teaching methodologies, fostering academic growth, and redefining the role of educators. Gunotsav creates a more aware, inclusive, and constructive educational atmosphere.

This groundbreaking effort has established a robust platform for collective progress in education, bringing about positive changes and formulating sustainable policies for long-term development. By enhancing the quality of education and securing social and political support, Gunotsav paves the way for a healthy and creative learning environment. This revolutionary initiative strengthens the prospects for quality, inclusive education in Assam and marks the beginning of a new chapter in the future of education.