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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State India
Institution Name Gujarat Council of Elementary Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Institution Type Public Agency
Administrative Level Regional
Name of initiative GIS School Mapping- ensuring access to Elementary Education
Projects Operational Years 7
Website of Institution http://www.ssagujarat.org/gismap/

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Making institutions inclusive and ensuring participation in decision-making
UNPSACriteria
2017.2.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region Enhance the formal and informal participation of all individuals and groups in public decision-making processes or policies, approaches and measures related to public services and other aspects impacting on their lives. Institutionalize and/or strengthen participatory decision-making and consultation processes at the national and local level
2017.2.10 Promotes Participation through New Institutional Mechanisms
2017.2.2 Strengthen the capacity of national or local governments and public institutions responsible for overseeing or delivering public services to engage people in preparing and implementing decisions, especially the poor and vulnerable people
2017.2.3 Promote a professional, merit based and well equipped civil service to ensure continuous and consistent institutional performance for an effective public services delivery
2017.2.4 Promulgates new or strengthens existing legislation, policy, regulation or measure to fight discrimination, exclusion and exploitation, and to extend access to public services and developmental opportunities, assets and resources for all, including women and girls, and the poorest and most vulnerable.
2017.2.5 Promotes the application of the existing legal and regulatory framework relevant to anti-discrimination and inclusion, or develop additional laws and regulations that foster changes in norms, attitudes and behavior that combat discrimination, including through promoting diversity, dialogue, interaction and collaboration.
2017.2.6 Implements new processes and institutional mechanisms to channel the demands and views of people and enables governments – policy makers and public officials – to better interact with the public, particularly individual people, and allows people, for instance, to better express their needs, participate in and influence policy-making; comment on policy implementation; provide feedback on government services (on and off-line services); and file complaints.
2017.2.7 Clearly supports inclusion, participation and engagement of all people, irrespective of sex, age, race or ethnicity, including through focusing on specific groups of the population and especially those in vulnerable situations, so that after the effective implementation of the initiative, all or some of these groups can participate more fully in society and in decision-making.
2017.2.8 Institutes, nationally and/or locally, multi-stakeholder engagement processes.
2017.2.9 Enhances responsiveness of government to the demands and needs of citizens and ensures the inclusion of the views of concerned sections of the community in public affairs.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jun 2010

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
If yes, please specify name, organisation and year. National Award for E-Governance 2013-2014 by Government of India

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? • The State of Gujarat won this award in Year 2009 • The Department has received letter from Principal Secretary Education for submission of nomination for UNPSA.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Making institutions inclusive and ensuring participation in decision-making
UNPSACriteria
2017.2.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region Enhance the formal and informal participation of all individuals and groups in public decision-making processes or policies, approaches and measures related to public services and other aspects impacting on their lives. Institutionalize and/or strengthen participatory decision-making and consultation processes at the national and local level
2017.2.10 Promotes Participation through New Institutional Mechanisms
2017.2.2 Strengthen the capacity of national or local governments and public institutions responsible for overseeing or delivering public services to engage people in preparing and implementing decisions, especially the poor and vulnerable people
2017.2.3 Promote a professional, merit based and well equipped civil service to ensure continuous and consistent institutional performance for an effective public services delivery
2017.2.4 Promulgates new or strengthens existing legislation, policy, regulation or measure to fight discrimination, exclusion and exploitation, and to extend access to public services and developmental opportunities, assets and resources for all, including women and girls, and the poorest and most vulnerable.
2017.2.5 Promotes the application of the existing legal and regulatory framework relevant to anti-discrimination and inclusion, or develop additional laws and regulations that foster changes in norms, attitudes and behavior that combat discrimination, including through promoting diversity, dialogue, interaction and collaboration.
2017.2.6 Implements new processes and institutional mechanisms to channel the demands and views of people and enables governments – policy makers and public officials – to better interact with the public, particularly individual people, and allows people, for instance, to better express their needs, participate in and influence policy-making; comment on policy implementation; provide feedback on government services (on and off-line services); and file complaints.
2017.2.7 Clearly supports inclusion, participation and engagement of all people, irrespective of sex, age, race or ethnicity, including through focusing on specific groups of the population and especially those in vulnerable situations, so that after the effective implementation of the initiative, all or some of these groups can participate more fully in society and in decision-making.
2017.2.8 Institutes, nationally and/or locally, multi-stakeholder engagement processes.
2017.2.9 Enhances responsiveness of government to the demands and needs of citizens and ensures the inclusion of the views of concerned sections of the community in public affairs.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jun 2010

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
If yes, please specify name, organisation and year. National Award for E-Governance 2013-2014 by Government of India

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? • The State of Gujarat won this award in Year 2009 • The Department has received letter from Principal Secretary Education for submission of nomination for UNPSA.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Making institutions inclusive and ensuring participation in decision-making
UNPSACriteria
2017.2.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region Enhance the formal and informal participation of all individuals and groups in public decision-making processes or policies, approaches and measures related to public services and other aspects impacting on their lives. Institutionalize and/or strengthen participatory decision-making and consultation processes at the national and local level
2017.2.10 Promotes Participation through New Institutional Mechanisms
2017.2.2 Strengthen the capacity of national or local governments and public institutions responsible for overseeing or delivering public services to engage people in preparing and implementing decisions, especially the poor and vulnerable people
2017.2.3 Promote a professional, merit based and well equipped civil service to ensure continuous and consistent institutional performance for an effective public services delivery
2017.2.4 Promulgates new or strengthens existing legislation, policy, regulation or measure to fight discrimination, exclusion and exploitation, and to extend access to public services and developmental opportunities, assets and resources for all, including women and girls, and the poorest and most vulnerable.
2017.2.5 Promotes the application of the existing legal and regulatory framework relevant to anti-discrimination and inclusion, or develop additional laws and regulations that foster changes in norms, attitudes and behavior that combat discrimination, including through promoting diversity, dialogue, interaction and collaboration.
2017.2.6 Implements new processes and institutional mechanisms to channel the demands and views of people and enables governments – policy makers and public officials – to better interact with the public, particularly individual people, and allows people, for instance, to better express their needs, participate in and influence policy-making; comment on policy implementation; provide feedback on government services (on and off-line services); and file complaints.
2017.2.7 Clearly supports inclusion, participation and engagement of all people, irrespective of sex, age, race or ethnicity, including through focusing on specific groups of the population and especially those in vulnerable situations, so that after the effective implementation of the initiative, all or some of these groups can participate more fully in society and in decision-making.
2017.2.8 Institutes, nationally and/or locally, multi-stakeholder engagement processes.
2017.2.9 Enhances responsiveness of government to the demands and needs of citizens and ensures the inclusion of the views of concerned sections of the community in public affairs.

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jun 2010

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? Yes
Comments: National Award for E-Governance 2013-2014 by Government of India

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? • The State of Gujarat won this award in Year 2009 • The Department has received letter from Principal Secretary Education for submission of nomination for UNPSA.

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
of 6-14 years shall have a right to free and compulsory education in its neighborhood school till completion of elementary education, i.e. if a school does not exist within the neighbourhood area as prescribed, the concerned Government and the local authority shall establish a school in this area within a period of three years. Therefore, all children-girls and boys-children from such disadvantaged groups and economically weaker sections, Children With Special Needs, children involved in child labor and so on, must be in a school within three years’ time. This provision in the RTE Act is applicable to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) goals on the access and universalization of elementary education. Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping of Schools initiative launched by Gujarat Primary Education Council addressed SSA Goals.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The objectives of the initiative are as follows: • To provide GIS based solution to identify most suitable habitation (location) for proposed school based on the demography and infrastructure availability. • To map and verify availability of Primary School within 1 KM and Upper Primary school within 3 kms as per RTE
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
The initiative fits within the selected category since it supports universalization elementary education policy and legal framework proposed under RTE act. It helps Government machineries in identify exact location for proposed school with the help of technology and without any biasness in the selection of habitation for the school. It also map and verify school requirement norms proposed under RTE act. By this, the initiative ultimately targets and help children from disadvantage sections of the society, children with special needs and children involved in child labour to become part of the School Education System. The initiative is fit for the nomination in the category since it promote RTE legal framework and promotes equality and inclusiveness by helping in providing schools in unserved, underserved area of the State of Gujarat.

Question 2

The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Earlier, before using GIS Technology, the School mapping was limited to Block level. It was done manually through research. So it had many limitations and did not provided enough information. There were broad level maps showing position of schools, where there is no distance criteria mentioned. All the data were in separate and scattered form. It was not possible to get the actual analysis for further implementations and actions. Moreover, the data were limited that one cannot go for additional findings or information about schools and their neighboring environment. The State need to arrive at a clear picture of current availability of schools within defined area or limits of neighborhoods. This required mapping of neighborhoods or habitations and linking them to specific schools. Such comprehensive exercise helped to identify gaps and areas where new schools required to be opened. As per RTE mandate, all the states’ SSA required to develop special system to identify and research on facilities of schools available in their states. Gujarat Council of Elementary Education launched a unique and effective programme of GIS school mapping to achieve the above mentioned objectives of SSA.

Question 3

The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Before using GIS technology for the school mapping, it was limited to a block or village level exercise. It was done manually with hard copy geography map and demographic data related to each habitation. This manual intervention was having limitation in terms of generating comprehensiveness information, having some scope of error in outcome of the mapping exercise. There were broad level maps showing position of schools, where there was no distance criteria mentioned. All the data were in separate and scattered form. It was not possible to get the actual analysis for further implementations and actions. Moreover, the data were limited that one cannot go for additional findings or information about schools and their neighboring environment. To address this issue Gujarat Council of Elementary Education launched a unique and effective programme of GIS school mapping. The initiative improves the proposed school location selection process in unserved areas. It integrates parameters like geography, demography etc. to provide more comprehensive unbiased rational mapping and selection process for the schools in unserved area. Apart from this, integration brings additional information for decision making e.g. geography and criteria based analysis of parameters like literacy rate, enrollment rate, dropout rate, gender gap in literacy etc.
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The initiative fosters participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanisms like GIS mapping where SSA also achieved RTE objectives through its finding of un-served areas in the state to ensure 100% access to Elementary Education. Through this initiative, more than 1000 students across 20 villages in unserved, inaccessible and remote areas have benefitted. Transportation Department can also create new facility for un-served locality. Community have been benefited pertaining to un-served habitations under Elementary Education as per mandate of ensuring every child of the age of 6-14 years - a right to free and compulsory education in the nearby neighborhood as per RTE Act. Education Department, Local authorities i.e. Municipal Corporations, Jilla Panchayat, Nagar Panchayat or Gram Panchayat become able to identify requirements for addressing Access to Universalization of Elementary Education. Educationalists, Researchers, Social Workers, NGOs and any layman are also able to check existing schooling facilities available under Elementary Education for specific demographic area and analyse by disaggregation and customized inputs. The project was replicated by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and initiated School mapping using GIS technology nationwide. The nationwide implementation create larger impact on school accessibility in unserved area.

Question 4

The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The RTE Act provides that ‘Every child of the age of 6-14 years shall have a right to free and compulsory education in its neighborhood school till completion of elementary education. The Act also provides that if a school does not exist within an area or distance limit prescribed as the neighborhood, the concerned Government and the local authority shall establish a school in this area within a period of three years. Therefore, all children-girls and boys-children from such disadvantaged groups and economically weaker sections, children with special needs, and so on, must be in a school within three years’ time. This provision in the RTE Act is applicable to the SSA goals on the access and universalization of elementary education. GIS Mapping of Schools initiative launched by Gujarat Primary Education Council addressed SSA Goals and improve accessibility of Schools in unserved regions of the State. In terms of technology used, the latitude and longitude of each school is marked on Google Earth instead of using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices for collection of latitude and longitude of the school. The Google Earth based mapping of the school is the unique and cost effective way of using technology for decision making.

Question 4b

b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
Yes, the initiative of GIS-mapping of schools is innovative in its own way as Gujarat Council of Elementary Education, SSA has conceptualize the GIS-technology idea and implemented this initiative with its own project team on collaborative participation approach through in-house development under the system. However the initiative is inspired and supported by Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) is a State level Nodal Agency to facilitate the use of spatial and geo-spatial technologies for the planning and developmental activities pertaining to Agriculture, Land and Water Resource Management, Wasteland/Watershed Development, Forestry, Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Education. BISAG is pioneered in GIS mapping of watershed area and other natural resources in Gujarat. The agencies’ capability to deliver in the field of GIS and solution to the field level issue of school mapping bring this initiative in the forefront. BISAG has provided their technical expertise in integrating spatial and geo spatial technologies for the initiative. The use of Google Earth for marking school latitude and longitude is most cost effective and cheaper innovation in comparison to other similar projects.

Question 4c

c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
GCEE, SSA has implemented the GIS School Mapping with its own project team on collaborative participation approach through in-house development under the system. Gujarat Council of Elementary Education (GCEE) identified BISAG to get technical support for the same. BISAG is a State level nodal agency to facilitate the use of spatial and geo-spatial technologies for the planning and developmental activities pertaining to Agriculture, Land and Water Resource Management, Wasteland/Watershed Development, Forestry, Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Education. GCEE, SSA has established a huge working team which has been working for almost a decade. Project Staff is highly involved at all the levels for implementation of the System. Involvement: The following team members are actively participated for successful implementation of the System: 1. State Management Information System (MIS) Team 2. District MIS Team & District Project Coordinators 3. Block MIS Team & Block Resource Centre (BRC) Coordinators 4. Cluster Resource Centre (CRC) Coordinators

Question 5

The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
The initiative fulfils SSA goal to achieve RTE objectives through its finding of un-served areas in the state. It ensures 100% access to Elementary Education. The project was replicated by Ministry of Human Resource Development and initiated School mapping using GIS technology nationwide. Other Government Departments are also able to reach in un-served areas found through this system. For example, Disaster Management Department can also establish its office in such un-served area. Transportation Department can also create new facility for un-served locality. Community have been benefited pertaining to un-served habitations under Elementary Education as per mandate of ensuring every child of the age of 6-14 years - a right to free and compulsory education in the nearby neighborhood as per RTE Act. Education Department, Local authorities i.e. Municipal Corporations, Jilla Panchayat, Nagar Panchayat or Gram Panchayat become able to identify requirements for addressing Access to Universalization of Elementary Education. Educationalists, Researchers, Social Workers, NGOs and any layman are also able to check existing schooling facilities available under Elementary Education for specific demographic area and analyse by disaggregation and customized inputs.

Question 6

The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
Gujarat Elementary Education Council with BISAG successfully operates the programme with a trained team. BISAG provides specialized services and solutions in implementing map-based Geospatial Information Systems. BISAG undertakes all services for the entire process of implementing an enterprise level GIS system. These services include GIS database design and development, map creation/updation and finishing, data migration/conversion and format translation, software development and customization, systems integration and technical consulting. Thus, the interoperability of state government’s two major modules makes the program effective. It has highly security based software for research and data collection. GIS School Mapping has its unique team for research and successful software for communication and dissemination of information. The objective to achieve Right to Education goals makes the initiative adjustable to every need for the department of education. Team work and participation makes it sustainable and long lasting.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
The initiative was launched in 2010 and it is constantly improved and strengthen by dedicated team at Gujarat Primary Education Council State. BISAG is constantly providing technical support and adding new enhancements in the software. The initiative is supporting SSA Goals as well as RTE implementation in the State. The project is economical viable since it is implemented by in house team. Since economic and human resource is available we can say that initiative will run and serve for longer period with regular enhancement cycles.

Question 7

The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
The evaluation of School GIS Mapping initiative was done in two ways. First we have put the system on test run using realistic data, scenarios, and tasks. The results of test run was positive and encouraging. After successful test run we have conducted assessment of the system in terms of cost benefit analysis. The assessment is helpful to understand overall project cost, identify all the benefits, estimate economic value of quantifiable benefits, assess impacts on organization and staff, and assess the risk. To conduct the assessment we have identified certain assessment parameters i.e. enrollment, cost, time, complexity etc. The assessment is done for the period between financial years 2013-14 to 2014-15.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The initiative is evaluated and assessed using cost benefit analysis method. The outcome of the evaluation and assessment based on cost benefit analysis is discussed below. The initiative cost is low since the conceptualization, design and implementation was done by the in-house team and BISAG which is a Government of Gujarat agency with the mandate of supporting GIS initiatives for all the Department of Gujarat. The cost for software development and license cost is low in comparison to any software vendor engaged from market. The hosting and deployment cost is negligible since application is hosted on shared hosting environment. In terms of benefit the project save the time consumed for manual mapping activity. It is more accurate and precise than the manual mapping exercise. The number of grievances related to manual mapping of school was reduced due to impartial technology based solution. The staff engaged in manual mapping exercise is free for another productivity activities. The inclusion of children of marginalized, weaker and disadvantage section is increased due to the precise identification of unserved, underserved area. Evaluation of the initiative based on cost benefit analysis clearly shows that initiative is advantageous to the community and implementing agency.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
Following Major Indicators were used for Evaluation 1. Cost of the Project including hardware, software, license, human resource 2. Staff time saved 3. Improvement in Precision and accuracy 4. Improvement in school accessibility 5. Improvement in Enrollment 6. Reduction in Grievance related to school allocation 7. RTE Implementation improvement 8. Increase in Departmental Convergence 9. Improved Decision making and reduction in time taken for school allocation in unserved area. 10. Uniqueness 11. Time and complexity 12. Improved decision making 13. Availability 14. Replicability

Question 8

The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
School GIS Mapping is conceptualized by the MIS team of State Project Office under guidance of State Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan functional under autonomous body Gujarat Council of Elementary Education (GCEE) through technical support of BISAG. BISAG is a State level nodal agency to facilitate the use of spatial and geo-spatial technologies for the planning and developmental activities pertaining to Agriculture, Land and Water Resource Management, Wasteland/Watershed Development, Forestry, Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Education. SSA Project has established a huge working team, with implementation tenure of a decade. Project Staff is highly dedicated at all the levels for implementation of the System. Involvement The following team members are actively participated for successful implementation of the System: 1. State Management Information System (MIS) Team 2. District MIS Team & District Project Coordinators 3. Block MIS Team & Block Resource Centre (BRC) Coordinators 4. Cluster Resource Centre (CRC) Coordinators Training District and Block MIS Coordinators are trained on entire mapping process periodically at State Project Office with technical support from BISAG. Training imparted mainly on following aspects: 1. How to locate the school using Google Earth Software 2. Use of KML file with Google Earth application 3. Mapping the DISE village code with Census village code.

Question 9

a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
The experience of execution has built the confidence of the GCEE, SSA and all of its stakeholders towards fostering participation in Policy-making decisions through innovative mechanism for ensuring access to Elementary Education. The lessons learned through implementation of the system are as under: 1. Each task at the initial stage, looks impossible 2. Motivation to Human Resources can reveal reluctance to change 3. Participatory approach could be able to get team spirit for achievement 4. Strong leadership could be able to create ownership for the initiative 5. Optimum use of resources give cost effectiveness to the initiative 6. This initiative ensures Access to Elementary Education and assists in decision making in the context of policy making through e-participation of the stakeholders and citizens for demands and needs of citizens 7. Satisfaction towards service delivery could be achieved by incorporating feedback from stakeholders and community by administrative reform having least scope of grievances 8. The cumbersome tasks could be transformed in institutional mechanism by introducing new concept through use of GIS Technology to increase efficiency in policy making under holistic approaches

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