The state cabinet of Maharashtra recently approved the implementation of the STARS initiative, a USD 500-million project funded by the World Bank to improve the quality of learning in schools across six states in India — Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.
“The total cost of the project will be ₹976 crore, of which ₹390 crore will be given by the state government and ₹586 crore by the Central government,” said an official from the state education department.
The STARS initiative will work on strengthening the pre-primary education system in Maharashtra with special emphasis on aanganwadis by providing them with quality infrastructure, training teachers etc.
Maharashtra state education department will implement the ‘Strengthening Teaching- Learning And Results for States’ (STARS) initiative in order to improve the overall teaching learning process in schools across the state. The implementation of the project will take place in a phased manner over the next five years.
The department will also set up an independent teacher training platform and will issue certifications after completion of training modules. There will also be efforts to, improve learning outcomes, reduce dropouts and extend counseling and guidance sessions to students.
The implementation of this program will come under Samagra Siksha Abhiyan. A seven-member committee will overlook the working of the initiative across districts in the state.