Empowering System Leaders to Transform Public Education in India
India's public education system is the world's largest, serving over 250 million students. However, the system faces a number of challenges, including low learning outcomes, high dropout rates, and teacher shortages. One of the key challenges to improving the system is the lack of support for system leaders.
System leaders are the mid-level bureaucrats who are responsible for implementing educational policies. They play a critical role in ensuring that policies are effectively implemented and that teachers have the support they need to be successful. However, system leaders are often left behind when it comes to training and support.
A case study of our CISCO Leadership Enhancement and Academic
Development program
Empowering System Leaders to Transform Public Education in India
About
Key Approach
Strengthening Teacher Education
Scale
District
Key Expertise
Co-Implement Programs, Co-Create Content, Co-Evaluate Growth
Future-Ready Skills
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Monitoring and Evaluation
The Intervention
Cisco and Leadership For Equity (LFE) have created a program to address this need. The program provides system leaders with training on a variety of topics, including academic subjects, policy implementation, and social-emotional learning. The program also includes a blended learning course that is certified by the government of Maharashtra.
The program is designed to be holistic, providing system leaders with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to be successful. The program includes online and in-person workshops, professional learning communities, online content, and a blended course called the LEAD program.
The LEAD program is a unique feature of the program. It is a blended learning program that combines online and in-person learning. The program is designed to be contextualized to the specific needs of system leaders. The program includes modules on a variety of topics, including curriculum development, instructional leadership, and data analysis.
The program also includes a capstone project, in which system leaders apply their learnings to design, implement, and evaluate a project that supports teachers. This hands-on experience allows system leaders to develop new mindsets and put their enhanced capacities into practice.
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Challenges
One of the primary challenges facing the program is ensuring that system leaders have the necessary time and resources to fully participate. Given their demanding schedules and responsibilities, it can be difficult for them to allocate sufficient time to training and development. Additionally, providing the required resources, such as access to technology and relevant materials, can be a logistical challenge.
To address these challenges, LFE is working to streamline the program's delivery, making it more flexible and accessible for system leaders. We are also exploring partnerships with other organizations to leverage their expertise and resources. By collaborating with government agencies, educational institutions, and technology providers, we can ensure that system leaders have the support they need to fully engage in the program and implement its learnings effectively.
Scale
District
Key Expertise
Co-Implement Programs, Co-Create Content, Co-Evaluate Growth
Future-Ready Skills
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Monitoring and Evaluation
A case study of our CISCO Leadership Enhancement and Academic
Development program
Empowering System Leaders to Transform Public Education in India
Key Approach
Strengthening Teacher Education
Highlights
The program has already demonstrated a tangible and positive impact on India's public education system. Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative successfully expanded student access to education while maintaining educational quality. A significant highlight has been the system leaders' proactive engagement in their professional growth by completing the certification program. This showcases their commitment to personal development and their dedication to enhancing their capabilities as educational leaders.
The program's success during the pandemic is particularly noteworthy. While educational systems worldwide struggled to adapt, the system leaders equipped with LFE training were able to leverage technology and innovative approaches to ensure continued learning for their students. This adaptability and resilience are key factors in ensuring that education remains accessible even during times of crisis.
Impact and the Road Ahead
The program's ambition for the next three years is substantial, with the goal of impacting 5,000 system leaders and reaching 15 million children across three to five states. This ambitious scale reflects the program's commitment to driving systemic change in India's public education landscape.
By reaching a wider network of system leaders, the program aims to create a multiplier effect, with each trained leader influencing the educational outcomes of thousands of students. This approach has the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change, ultimately transforming the lives of millions of children and contributing to a more equitable and prosperous India.