The Ministry of Education is urging states to establish Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs), data repositories under the National Digital Education Architecture. These centers will compile data from various educational initiatives, including mid-day meal programs, teacher training, school attendance, and more. Currently, an Ernst and Young-managed central VSK operates using open-source C-Qube software, with data input manually and downloadable in Excel format. The plan is to transition to automatic data integration through API integration, aligning with the National Education Policy of 2020 to make data open source. This initiative aims to enhance educational data analytics and decision-making in the education sector.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- National Digital Education Architecture: A framework for digitizing educational data and processes, facilitating data collection and analysis for informed decision-making.
- Mid-Day Meal Programs: Government programs providing free meals to schoolchildren, often used to improve attendance and nutrition.
- Application Programming Interface (API) Integration: The process of connecting different software systems to enable automated data exchange and integration.
- National Education Policy of 2020: A policy framework in India aimed at transforming the education system by making it more accessible, flexible, and technology-driven.
- Gross Access Ratio: A metric used to assess educational accessibility by mapping school locations and population data, helping in planning new schools and educational institutions based on demand and future scenarios.
