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Education Ministry Releases New Guidelines for School Committees
  • New guidelines recommend parents lead school committees
  • Rules align with National Education Policy 2020 goals
  • Committees to oversee school development and government schemes

The Union Education Ministry has released new guidelines for School Management Committees (SMCs), recommending that parents or guardians serve as both chairperson and vice-chairperson of the panels.

The guidelines aim to strengthen community participation in school education and align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said school management committees have existed for years, but there is now a greater need to make them a stronger part of school culture across India.

Under the new framework, the principal or head of the school will act as the member secretary of the committee. Each committee will also include two sub-committees focused on academics and school infrastructure.

The ministry said the updated guidelines replace earlier recommendations and will serve as a model for states to create their own rules. The committees will support schools from pre-primary classes up to Class 12.

According to the guidelines, committee size will depend on student enrollment. Schools with up to 100 students can have 12 to 15 members, while larger schools with more than 500 students can form committees of up to 25 members.

The panels will include parents, teachers, local authority representatives, education experts, alumni, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and school principals. At least three-fourths of the members must be parents or guardians, and half of the members should be women, in line with the Right to Education Act, 2009.

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The committees will monitor school operations, prepare development plans, oversee grants, and support government programs such as Samagra Shiksha, PM-POSHAN, and NIPUN Bharat. They will also be allowed to manage civil works projects worth up to Rs 30 lakh.

Schools will begin elections for committee members at the start of each academic year, with members serving a two-year term.

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