Context: Shiksha Parv is being celebrated by the Ministry of Education from 5th-17th September to recognize the contributions of teachers and to take New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a step forward. 

• On this occasion Prime Minister of India launched several academic initiatives which are expected to play an important role in shaping the country’s future.

Shikshak Parv

• The Shikshak Parv 2021 is being organised from 5th-17th September 2021 by the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education (MoE). 
• The theme of 'Shikshak Parv-2021' is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”. 
• Its celebration will encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.

Major Initiatives under Shikshak Parv
1. Indian Sign Language (ISL) Dictionary

• The Dictionary is launched by Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre, an Institute under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).
• The 3rd edition of the ISL Dictionary contains a total of 10,000 terms of everyday use, academic terms, legal & administrative terms, medical terms, and agricultural terms.
• The Dictionary contains regional signs used in different parts of the country.
• 1st edition of the ISL Dictionary was launched on 23rd March 2018 with 3000 terms.
• 2nd edition with 6000 terms (including earlier 3000 terms) was launched on 27th February 2019.

2. CBSE School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA)

• School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) is launched by Central Board of Secondary Education to provide global parameters of attainment as standards in schools affiliated to it.
• Aim: To enhancement of quality, recognition of excellence, promotion of accountability, across a range of descriptors or indicators of assessment.

Key Takeaways

• It captures the unique ethos of an institution such as nurturing and promoting excellence in sports etc.
• This will provide a degree of choice to a student or parent looking for specific qualities.
• SQAA is easily implementable, objective, and carries with it a measure of credibility and acceptability.

3. Vidyanjali 2.0

• Vidyanjali is an initiative taken by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Aim: To strengthen Schools through community and private sector involvement in schools across the country.

Major Highlights

• The initiative will connect schools with varied volunteers; young professionals, school alumni, in service and retired teachers / Government officials.
• Vidyanjali has two verticals: “Participate in school Activity” and “Assets/Material/Equipment”
• Volunteer can support and strengthen the government and government aided schools.

4. National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR)

• Union Budget 2021-22 has announced setting up of a National Digital Educational Architecture (NDEAR).
• Aim: To provide a digital infrastructure for Education.

Key Points

• Digital Architecture will support teaching and learning activities as well as educational planning, governance administrative activities.
• It will provide education eco-system architecture for development of digital infrastructure, that will ensure autonomy of all stakeholders, especially States and UTs.

5. NISHTHA Teachers Training Programme

• National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) is a national mission to improve learning outcomes at the elementary level.

Objective

• To motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students and teachers will get awareness and develop their skills on various aspects.

Expected outcomes

• Improvement in learning outcomes of the students.
• Creation of an enabling and enriching inclusive classroom environment.
• Teachers are trained as first level counselors to be alert and responsive to the social, emotional, and psychological need of students.
• Teachers are trained to use Art as pedagogy leading to increased creativity and innovation among students.
• Teachers are trained to develop and strengthen personal-social qualities of students for their holistic development.