The central government is mandating the formation and empowerment of School Management Committees (SMCs) across all schools, aiming to decentralize school governance and increase community participation. This initiative, stemming from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, seeks to shift decision-making power closer to the grassroots level.
Key changes include making SMCs statutory bodies with defined roles and responsibilities, moving beyond merely advisory functions. These committees will now be directly involved in monitoring learning levels, infrastructure development, and financial management of schools.
The revised guidelines emphasize diverse representation within SMCs, mandating inclusion of parents, local community members, teachers, and importantly, student representatives (in secondary schools). A minimum of 50% representation is reserved for parents, with specific quotas for mothers and members of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
SMCs will be responsible for preparing annual school development plans, monitoring their implementation, and providing feedback to school heads and education departments. They will also oversee the utilization of school funds, including those allocated under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
The government is providing detailed guidelines and training modules to facilitate the effective functioning of SMCs. These resources cover areas like roles and responsibilities, financial management, and monitoring of learning outcomes. A dedicated portal, ‘NISHTHA’, will be used for training SMC members.
The move is intended to improve school accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to local needs. By involving parents and the community, the government hopes to foster a sense of ownership and improve the overall quality of education. The initiative also aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that schools are better equipped to address the specific challenges they face. The guidelines also stress the importance of regular SMC meetings and maintaining detailed records of decisions and actions.
