Lok Sabha Question No. 3309 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Objectives of STARS Project
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3309 ANSWERED ON - 16/12/2024

## Objectives of STARS Project

3309.  Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a)  the  key  objective  of  Strengthening  Teaching  -  Learning  and  Results  for  State (STARS) Project; (b) the details of the implementation of the project; (c) the manner in which it aims to enhance school education in the identified States with the support of World Bank and State contribution; (d)  the  States  covered under the STARS scheme and the quality interventions made
2. there under; and
3. (e) the details of the progress made under the scheme?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Program is being  implemented  as  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  in  six  states  namely  Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Kerala over a period of  5  years,  i.e.,  from  F.Y.  2020-21  to  F.Y. 2024-25. The project envisages improving student outcomes in the selected States and the governance of school education the selected States. The targeted beneficiaries of the project are the children from the age of  3  to  18  years  (pre-school  to  class  XII)  Education  institutions  and  Teachers. While role of Central Government is to provide policy guidelines, release Central Share as per norms of the Scheme and overall monitoring of the Scheme. States are responsible for actual implementation of the Scheme, provide their share of funds for the Scheme and own  and  monitor  its  implementation  on  ground.  With  a  view  to  help  the  States  in effective  implementation,  guidelines  have  been  devised  for  implementing  various interventions of the Scheme.  In addition, Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) have been  devised  for  every  component.  Review  meetings  are  held  by  Union  Ministry  of

Education with the States from time to time to monitor and review implementation of the Scheme. Further, the Scheme has an inbuilt monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure effective implementation of interventions viz. Joint Review Mission (JRM) of the World  Bank  with  the  objective  of  reviewing  status  of  progress  and  implementation. Other  mechanisms  for  effective  implementation  include  Project  Appraisal,  Budgeting Achievements and Audit Mechanism.

(c): The STARS project aims to enhance educational service delivery by focusing on these successful practices and implementing reforms through improved decentralized management and planning. It strengthens the early education, learning assessments, classroom instruction, and teacher development while facilitating transitions to higher education and strengthening governance. STARS aims to strengthen governance and management  practices  with  focus  on  decentralized  academic  planning,  rigorous teacher training, effective incentives for teachers, and comprehensive school readiness programs.

The STARS  project leverages India's government structure to enhance state capabilities,  while  the  balance  will  tilt  significantly  toward  support  to  states,  select components  of  the  transformational  National  Education  Policy  2020  and  Samagra Shiksha scheme support at the government level. The project's support is structured as a  hybrid  operation,  comprising  both  a  Program  for  Results  (PforR)  component  to facilitate state-level  reforms  and  a  technical  assistance  component.  The  PforR mechanism  require  states  to  meet  Disbursement-Linked  Indicators  (DLIs)  aimed  at improving  early  childhood  education  and  increasing  secondary  education  completion rates.  Additionally,  a  State  Incentive  Grant  (SIG)  scorecard  incentivize  states  to enhance  educational  service  delivery  and  prioritize  specific  state  needs,  ultimately aimed  at  driving  better  learning  outcomes  across  the  country.  The  program  offers flexibility  to  the  six  states  to  choose  from  among,  and  within,  a  set  of  five  subcomponents depending on their state-specific context, reform agenda, and needs. The state  component  aims  to  strengthen  early  childhood  education,  improve  learning assessment systems, enhance teacher performance and classroom practice, strengthen the school-to-work/higher education transition, and improve governance and decentralized management.

(d): The STARS project has introduced several impactful quality interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes across the six STARS states. These initiatives focus on  data-driven  decision-making,  career  guidance,  creative  learning,  early  childhood education, and support for children with special needs.

One  of  the  interventions  is  the  command  and  control  centre  unit  known  as  Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), a data-driven tool designed to assist educational stakeholders in  making informed decisions. By collecting and analyzing educational data, the VSK helps  track  progress,  identify  trends,  and  make  evidence-based  decisions  that  drive improvements  in  educational  outcomes.  The  project  also  supports  academic  support and career guidance to students from low-income families and vulnerable backgrounds, helping  them  secure  places  in  reputed  higher  education  institutions.  Complementing this,  creative  corners  have  been  established  in  classrooms  to  foster  creativity  and interdisciplinary learning. These spaces integrate subjects such as science, math, and social  studies,  encouraging  students  to  develop  essential  life  skills  through  hands-on activities. Furthermore, for students with special needs, the PRASHAST app facilitates early identification through universal screening, allowing timely support for children who require  special  attention.  This  initiative  is  complemented  by  extensive  training  for educators, ensuring that they are equipped to identify and support children with learning disabilities.

To  ensure  school  readiness,  a  School  Readiness  Program  has  been  implemented, providing  resources,  health  checks,  and  developmental  assessments  to  prepare children for grade 1. This initiative ensures that children are well-equipped academically and  socially  as  they  begin  their  formal  education  journey.  Additionally,  for  early childhood  education,  Foundation  Literacy  and  Numeracy  (FLN)  model  schools  have been strengthened through detailed guidelines that enhance the quality of education at the foundational level. These guidelines have been successfully implemented across a significant  number  of  schools,  emphasizing  the  importance  of  foundational  skills  for future academic success. Finally, the events like seminars, conferences and workshops,  encourages  young  minds  to  tackle  real-world  challenges  in  fields  like agriculture, education, and  healthcare. This initiative provides students with  an opportunity  to  develop  innovative  solutions  and  present  them  at  a  state-level  event, promoting creativity and problem-solving.

There  are  workshops  and  trainings  under  STARS  project  play  a  pivotal  role  in enhancing teacher training and capacity building, bridging the gap between education and  school-to-work  transition.  These  workshops  provide  educators  with  modern pedagogical tools, exposure to innovative teaching methods. By focusing on experiential  learning  and  outcome-based  education,  teachers  are  better  equipped  to guide the students towards holistic development and skill acquisition. Together, these initiatives under the STARS project represent a comprehensive approach to improving the  quality  of  education,  supporting  both  students  and  educators,  and  fostering  a conducive learning environment.

## (e): Total Approvals and Expenditure Status under the STARS project (till F.Y. 2024-25)

(Rs in crore)

| State Name       | Total Central Releases   | Total State Releases   | Total Releases   | Expenditure*   | %Expenditure of Total Releases   |
|------------------|--------------------------|------------------------|------------------|----------------|----------------------------------|
| C1               | C2                       | C3                     | C4 = C2+C3       | C5             | C6 = C5/C4*100                   |
| Himachal Pradesh | 393.67                   | 43.74                  | 437.41           | 343.86         | 78.61%                           |
| Kerala           | 292.54                   | 195.03                 | 487.57           | 356.24         | 73.06%                           |
| Madhya Pradesh   | 169.28                   | 112.85                 | 282.13           | 252.82         | 89.61%                           |
| Maharashtra      | 303.86                   | 202.57                 | 506.43           | 393.59         | 77.74%                           |
| Odisha           | 432.17                   | 288.11                 | 720.28           | 520.14         | 72.21%                           |
| Rajasthan        | 393.73                   | 262.49                 | 656.22           | 512.93         | 78.16%                           |
| Total            | 1985.25                  | 1104.79                | 3090.04          | 2379.58        | 77.01%                           |