Lucknow, 16 November (Hindu). To increase transparency in the education system, community participation and improve school management, the Yogi government has accelerated the process of restructuring of School Management Committees (SMC). It is imperative for the school management committee to be empowered and strong in the process of improving the rights of children and the quality of education.
The tenure of the SMC constituted for the current academic session 2022-23 ends on November 30, 2024. For this reason, the Yogi government has decided to form new committees. These committees will be formed between 30th November and will become functional from 01st December.
It is noteworthy that the Yogi government is not only trying to strengthen the educational rights of children through the School Management Committee, but is also continuously trying to improve the quality of education. The reconstituted committees will now become a medium to encourage community participation and connect parents with school development. Through this the education system can be made more effective and powerful. Also, various programs and schemes being run under the Basic Education Department and Samagra Shiksha will be implemented more effectively.
Formation of SMC is mandatory under RTE Act
Formation of School Management Committee is mandatory under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE) and Uttar Pradesh Right to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011. Applies to all schools except non-aided schools in the state.
Yogi government has kept social harmony in mind while forming committees
The new committees will have a total of 15 members, of which 11 members will be parents and 50% of them will be women. The remaining 4 nominated members will include local authority, ANM, accountant and headmaster or in-charge. To ensure social harmony, representation of SC, ST, OBC and weaker sections is ensured in the committees.
The tenure will be two years
The tenure of each committee will be 24 months. Its objective is to ensure quality of education and protection of children’s rights by giving adequate time to the committees. The tenure can also be extended or reduced in emergency situations (such as epidemics).
This is the formation process
Yogi government has made the formation of the committee completely transparent. An open meeting of parents will be org.zed to reconstitute the committee. In case of dispute in the selection process, confidential voting will be conducted under the supervision of the Block Education Officer.
Dates for formation of new committees will be decided at the district level. Parents’ meetings will be org.zed through announcement and publicity.
Yogi government has also clarified the reasons due to which membership can be terminated. These include death, being punished by the court or transfer of the member. The vacant posts will be filled in an open meeting by consensus.
Basic Education Minister (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh said that the government has clarified the duties of the committees. These include monitoring the school, preparing development plan, ensuring proper utilization of funds, paying attention to enrollment and attendance of children, regular attendance of teachers. Monitoring the quality of the mid-day meal scheme and other educational schemes will also be the responsibility of the committees. Shri Singh said that to maintain transparency in the school and increase participation in development works, committees have been made participants in financial matters. Sub-committees will also be formed to monitor the construction works.
