Centre Decentralises School Governance: SMCs Empowered with New Mandate for Secondary Schools
School Management Committees gain expanded authority over civil works and budgets
Source: The HinduThe Centre has issued new norms to decentralise school governance by extending School Management Committee (SMC) mandates to secondary schools. Key changes include: 75% of SMC members must be parents, 50% must be women. SMCs will now execute all school civil works costing up to 30 lakh without waiting for higher approval. They will also review school budgets and monitor PM-POSHAN (mid-day meal scheme). This move aims to improve school management efficiency and accountability at the local level by empowering communities to oversee educational infrastructure and spending directly.
- SMC mandate extended to secondary schools with 75% parent representation requirement
- 50% of SMC members must be women for gender balance in governance
- SMCs authorized to execute civil works up to 30 lakh independently
- School committees to review budgets and monitor PM-POSHAN scheme implementation
- Decentralisation aims to improve accountability and efficiency in school management
A local governance body comprising parents, teachers, and community representatives responsible for managing school affairs, budgets, and infrastructure. SMCs bridge gap between government and schools for grassroots-level decision-making and accountability.
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) is a scheme providing nutritious mid-day meals to school children across India. It aims to improve nutrition and learning outcomes while addressing child hunger and malnutrition.
Transfer of decision-making power from central/state authorities to local bodies like SMCs. Enables communities to manage school resources, infrastructure, and planning directly, improving responsiveness and accountability.
Physical infrastructure projects in schools including classroom construction, repairs, renovation, toilet blocks, water systems, and other building-related maintenance authorized by SMCs up to specified financial limits.
Questions often focus on composition of SMCs (75% parents, 50% women), financial authority limits ( 30 lakh), and the purpose of decentralisation in education governance. Remember the numerical benchmarks for quick MCQ answers.
SMC NEW RULE: 75-50-30 = 75% Parents, 50% Women, 30 lakh civil works authority. Remember the three numbers for quick recall!