A Geospatial framework for School Information of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand School Mapping Information System (USMIS) is a web-based information system developed by Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) in line with Planning Commission’s guidelines. Conceived and designed keeping in mind the distinctive features and unique needs of Uttarakhand, it uses the geo-database of the state’s schools for providing useful information to the stakeholders. USMIS incorporates the online analysis facility, using the decision support capability built into it. Its interactive capability helps users access the distribution of schools in the state, along with associated detailed characteristics. This aids in better understanding of schools’ location within Uttarakhand and helps in better understanding schools’ association with neighbouring habitats and areas.

School Mapping is essentially an effort focussed at increasing the efficiency of resources earmarked for school education, thus ensuring equity. In educational micro planning, School Mapping has become a normal, institutionalised practice. The importance of its capability to contribute technical inputs to educational micro planning is self-evident. Here, it is necessary to differentiate between Schol Mapping, which is a process and a School Map, which is one of its outputs. More than simply being a tabular, graphical or cartographical representation of a particular space or place, School Mapping involves consideration and inclusion of technical aspects that influence the physical and social context of the analysis. Thus, School Mapping provides a holistic view that can assist the planning process. Right to Education is every Indian child’s inherent right. To aid appropriate allocation and utilization of resources meant to ensure education for all children GIS-based School Mapping ought to be conducted in all states. State-level education authorities need to execute School Mapping activity in the states, as has been successfully initiated in some Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand etc. In Uttarakhand, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan proposed a statewide School Mapping Programme, which led to signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) and Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan – Uttarakhand, in February 2011. This MOU was signed with the objective of preparing a geospatial database of the state’s schools that would assist in planning of educational services in the state.