Teacher evaluation varies across India

Kolkata: Different teacher evaluation tools and processes are being followed across India, but there is lack of consistency around the quality of their implementation, a British Council publication said.

The research involved an analysis of current policies and tools, drawing on the experience and knowledge of representatives from over 20 organisations and government agencies, all involved in teacher education projects and programmes in India, a British Council statement said on Wednesday. 

Four focus groups with teachers in Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were formed, ensuring that their concerns were represented in the summary report. "The report concludes that there are a variety of different evaluation tools and processes being followed across the India, but there is a lack of consistency around the quality of their implementation," the statement said.

Elaborating, the report said there was limited use of clear criteria to assess teaching quality and called for identifying these criteria as a first step to have a shared understanding of what good teaching meant. 

The report 'Exploring teacher evaluation practices in India – A case study' was launched by Member Secretary National Council of Teacher Education Sanjay Awasthi – along with representatives from the British Council, the National University of Educational Planning and Administration and other education-focused organisations.

The tools and processes used for evaluating teachers needed to be agreed with the teachers themselves and those who conduct evaluations must be carefully trained to ensure fairness, transparency and useful feedback, the report said. The results of teacher evaluations needed to be linked to professional development opportunities to ensure longer term development of the quality of teaching.

The report further said using learner outcomes as a measurement of teaching quality is logical but was fraught with problems, "given that many factors can influence test scores." 

Director, British Council India, Alan Gemmell OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) said, "By supporting teachers to reflect on current practices and continue learning and improving, we can ensure better learning outcomes from young people across the country, leading to prosperity and development for all."