Block Resource Centre(BRC)

and
Cluster Resource Centre(CRC)
Block Resource Centre
It is a block level institution to carryout the academic activities related to mainly to primary
education. BRC carries out its academic programs under the guidance and supervision of
DIET.

CRC Cluster Resource Centre

It has been functioning as Centre of teacher empowerment, where the teachers share their
experiences and innovative practices in the teaching learning process.

Block Resource Centre (BRCs) and Cluster Resource Centre (CRC) are established in
each block of every district under SSA to conduct in-service teacher training and to provide
academic support to teachers and schools on a regular basis as well as to help in community
mobilization activities.
BLOCK RESOURCE CENTRE (BRC)
BLOCK RESOURCE CENTRE (BRC)
-Block Resource Centre (BRC) is a project initiated by the Indian government to support rural
schools through resources, training, and innovative practices.
-BRCs serve as a hub for learning and development in rural areas, providing access to various
educational resources, including books, multimedia content, and educational tools.

OBJECTIVES
-To provide essential training to teachers and support to improve their teaching practices.

-They organize workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance teachers’ skills and
knowledge in different areas.
-BRCs provide academic and administrative support to schools in their respective blocks.
-To serve as a one-stop solution for various school-related issues, such as curriculum

development, resource utilization, and evaluation.

-To monitor schools’ progress under their jurisdiction and provide timely feedback to the
authorities concerned in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of schools and take
corrective measures to improve the quality of education.
Structure of BRC & infrastructure

A Block Resource Centre (BRC) structure in India typically includes a physical infrastructure
and a team of resource persons.

❑ Physical Infrastructure: BRCs are usually housed in a separate building or a portion of a

school building. The infrastructure includes a library, a computer lab, and an audio-visual
room, among other facilities. The BRC building may also have a playground, a garden, and
a space for conducting meetings and workshops.
❑ Resource Persons: BRCs are run by a team of resource persons responsible for
implementing various educational programs and initiatives in the block. The team may
include:

•Block Resource Coordinators (BRCs): They are the head of the BRC and are responsible
for managing the center’s day-to-day operations. They are responsible for planning,
implementing, and evaluating various educational programs and initiatives in the block.
•Assistant Coordinators: They assist the BRC in implementing various programs and
initiatives.
•Subject Experts: Subject experts are appointed in the BRC to provide academic support to
teachers in the block. They may specialize in subjects like mathematics, science, or
languages.
•Data Entry Operators: They are responsible for maintaining and updating the database of
students and teachers in the block.
•Accountants: They are responsible for maintaining the financial records of the BRC.
•Support Staff: Support staff may include clerks, peons, and drivers, among others.
Major academic roles and functions of BRCs as outlined in the Framework for Implementation of SSA
(2008) are:
•Development of the Centre as a rich academic resource with ample reference materials for the teachers.
•Development of strong human resource pools (by inviting resource persons) from nearby teacher education
institutions, NGOs, Colleges/ Universities and resourceful individuals to form Resource Groups in different
subject areas for primary and upper primary level.
•Regular school visits for addressing emerging pedagogic issues and issues related to school development.
•Organization of teacher training and monthly meetings to discuss academic issues and design strategies for
better school performance.
•Setting up of performance indicators to track and enhance school performance.
•Consultation with community members and Panchayati Raj Institutions to strive for school improvement.
•Designing a Quality Improvement Plan for the block/cluster as per the SSA goals and strive to achieve that in
a time bound manner.
•Monitoring the progress of quality using Quality Monitoring Tools in collaboration with nearby DIET.
Cluster Resource Center
The Cluster Resource Center (CRC) is a unique solution that tries to bridge the gap between schools located in
urban & rural areas regarding education.
- It is a center that provides academic support to the government schools in the cluster.

OBJECTIVE
- For providing academic support to schools in a cluster, the role of CRCs has expanded to include conducting
surveys, monitoring the implementation of programs, and providing technical support to schools.
- To provide academic, administrative, and technical support to the schools in their respective clusters.

Concept
The Cluster Resource Center is a center that provides academic support to the government schools in the cluster. A
cluster is a group of five to ten schools that are located near each other. The CRC is responsible for the overall
development of the cluster schools. The Head Master of the school where the CRC is located is designated as the
CRC-Coordinators.
How is a school designated as CRC?
The designation of a school as a Cluster Resource Center (CRC) is based on
specific criteria and guidelines laid down by the government. The criteria for
designating a school as a CRC are as follows:
•Number of Schools: The school should be located in a cluster of five to ten
schools that are located near each other.

•Infrastructure: The school should have adequate infrastructure, such as

classrooms, furniture, and equipment, to support the functioning of the CRC.

•Staffing: The school should have sufficient trained and qualified teachers to
support the academic and administrative functions of the CRC.

•Experience: The school should have at least five years of experience providing
quality education.
 ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF CRC

•Conducting regular academic monitoring of schools in the cluster and

providing feedback to teachers and school authorities.
•Developing and implementing a plan for academic support to schools,
including organizing and conducting teacher training programs and providing
access to teaching and learning materials.
•Conducting surveys and collecting data on various aspects of school
education, such as student enrollment, attendance, and learning outcomes.
•Monitoring the implementation of various government schemes and programs
related to education in the schools of their cluster.
•Providing technical support to schools in ICT integration, infrastructure development, and
maintenance.
•Ensuring the effective implementation of various child-centered activities in the schools, such
as co-curricular and extracurricular activities; and
•Encouraging community participation in school activities and promoting a culture of education
in the community.

The primary functions of CRCs include:

Capacity building of teachers: CRCs organize training programs & workshops for teachers in
schools located under his/her cluster to help them improve their teaching skills and stay updated
with the latest teaching methodologies and technologies.

Resource support: CRCs provide schools with the necessary resources, including teaching
aids, textbooks, and other materials, to help teachers deliver effective classroom instruction.
Academic support: CRCs provide academic support to schools by conducting regular
assessments of students, identifying learning gaps, and providing remedial support to students
who need it.
Monitoring and evaluation: CRCs monitor the progress of schools in their clusters and
evaluate the effectiveness of interventions undertaken to improve the quality of education.
Community mobilization: CRCs mobilize the community to participate in school activities,
including supporting education initiatives and creating awareness about the importance of
education.
Inclusive education: CRCs promote inclusive education in their clusters by identifying and
addressing the needs of children with disabilities, children from disadvantaged backgrounds,
and children from marginalized communities.
Role of BRC in the planning of Samagra Shiksha?
In the context of Samagra Shiksha, the Block Resource Centres (BRCs) play a crucial role in the planning and
implementation various educational programs and initiatives. Here are some of the critical roles of BRCs in Samagra
Shiksha planning:
1.Implementation of Educational Programs: BRCs are responsible for implementing various
educational programs and initiatives in the block. These programs may include teacher training,
student assessment, and academic support.
2.Academic Support to Schools: BRCs provide academic support to the schools in the block.
They work towards improving the quality of education by providing subject-specific support to
teachers and conducting workshops and training sessions on various topics.
3.Monitoring and Evaluation: BRCs are responsible for monitoring the implementation of
various educational programs and initiatives in the block. They also evaluate the impact of these
programs and provide feedback to the higher authorities.
4.Data Collection and Analysis: BRCs collect and analyze data related to student enrollment,
attendance, and academic performance in the block. They use this data to identify gaps in the
education system and develop strategies to address them.
5.Resource Mobilization: BRCs mobilize resources to implement various educational programs
and initiatives in the block. They collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and other
stakeholders to ensure the necessary resources are available.
Critical roles assigned to CRCs under Samagra Shiksha include:

1.Providing academic support to teachers: The CRCs support teachers in their respective clusters. This includes
training and capacity building of teachers, helping them to improve their teaching skills, and providing them with
the necessary resources for effective classroom teaching.
2.Conducting regular assessments of students: The CRCs are responsible for conducting regular assessments of
students in their clusters, identifying learning gaps, and providing remedial support to students who need it.
3.Promoting inclusive education: The CRCs are responsible for promoting inclusive education in their clusters.
This includes identifying and addressing the needs of children with disabilities, children from disadvantaged
backgrounds, and children from marginalized communities.
4.Building partnerships with the community: The CRCs are responsible for building partnerships with the
community to promote community participation in school activities and to ensure that education is seen as a shared
responsibility.
5.Monitoring and evaluation: The CRCs are responsible for monitoring the progress of schools in their clusters
and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions undertaken to improve the quality of education.
How are CRCs different than BRCs?
CRCs and BRCs are both types of resource centers that support government schools in India,
with the following key differences between the two:

1.Size and Scope: CRCs are smaller in size as compared to BRCs. A CRC covers a cluster of
five to ten schools, whereas a BRC covers 75 to 100 schools.

2.Hierarchy: BRCs are located at a higher level in the education hierarchy than CRCs. BRCs are
responsible for supporting CRCs, whereas CRCs directly support schools.

3.Functioning: BRCs focus on planning and implementing educational programs and policies at
the block level, whereas CRCs focus on providing academic, administrative, and technical
support to schools at the cluster level.

4.Staffing: BRCs have a more extensive staff as compared to CRCs. BRCs have a Block
Resource Coordinator, Assistant Block Resource Coordinator, and other staff members, whereas
CRCs have a Cluster Resource Person and other support staff.