GONOTSAV 2.0

Abstract

The Gunotsav 2.0 program is a comprehensive quality assessment initiative launched by the Government of Gujarat to evaluate and enhance primary education. This paper examines the program's structure, which operates through a unique two-phase evaluation process. The first phase involves self-evaluation by schools, assessing students' scholastic competencies in reading, writing, and numeracy, alongside co-scholastic activities and infrastructure. The second phase deploys senior state bureaucrats to conduct external evaluations of a representative sample of schools, fostering accountability and direct engagement with the community. The study highlights Gunotsav 2.0's objectives of bridging learning outcome gaps, creating an outcome-oriented performance culture, and building awareness among all stakeholders. While the program has shown significant success in improving school facilities and maintaining high enrollment rates, the author notes a critical divergence between the government's intended purpose—to guide curriculum and teaching methods—and how teachers perceive the evaluation. The program stands as a significant state-level accountability framework aimed at driving qualitative improvements in Gujarat's primary education system.