Pune: The State Council of Educational Research and Training Maharashtra (SCERT) has completed a two-stage evaluation process, awarding A+ grades to 429 schools statewide under the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF). This assessment reflects the commitment to enhancing educational standards across Maharashtra, emphasizing quality assurance in school performance.
The evaluation was carried out in accordance with government resolutions on March 15, 2024, and Jan 28, 2025, establishing the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) and implementing the SQAAF framework across all schools. Based on the highest scores in this phase, 10,712 schools were shortlisted for external evaluation by third-party assessors in 2025–26. Of these, 10,644 schools completed the assessment process. The state has released the list of all 429 A+ grade schools. Accordingly, schools that completed external evaluation in 2025–26 must mention their awarded grade on the official materials.
SCERT director Hemant Veskare said, “All teachers, students, parents, school management committees, school management and development committees, headmasters, cluster heads, education extension officers and group education officers who contributed to achieving the A+ grade deserve a pat. As per the GRs, schools that underwent external evaluation have to prominently display their grade on the school’s façade or letterhead. The initiative aims to create a uniform and measurable quality assurance system across Maharashtra’s school education sector, strengthening accountability and continuous improvement. Bhandara and Gadchiroli districts have one school each in the top category