Mumbai: The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has extended the deadline for submitting the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Plan (SQAAF) to 15th March, following concerns that the schedule coincides with the ongoing Class 10 and 12 board examinations.
Many teachers involved in the process have also been assigned exam duties. The original deadline for SQAAF submission was 28th February.
The extension comes in response to a formal request from the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary School Headmasters’ Association, which highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers during this period. The association had originally requested an extension until the end of March to complete the process.
Mahendra Ganpule, former president of the state headmasters’ association, acknowledged the extension, stating, “Although we had sought a deadline until the end of March, we welcome the additional 15 days. We aim to ensure that all information is submitted promptly and efficiently.”
Currently, teachers are juggling multiple responsibilities, including the administration of board examinations, ongoing teacher capacity-building training in various talukas, and the completion of curricula for classes 5th to 9th and 11th.
Schools are also engaged in various tasks related to exam preparations. Given these demands, the association argued that more time was required to gather and submit crucial information for the SQAAF.
After considering these factors, SCERT agreed to a 15-day extension. Schools of all managements and mediums across the state are now expected to complete the submission process by the new deadline of 15th March. Authorities have instructed schools to ensure 100% compliance within this extended timeframe.
