Lok Sabha Question No. 86 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Participation of SMCs and Community in Education
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 86 ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## Participation of SMCs and Community in Education

## 86. Dr. Amar Singh:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is cognizant that strengthening School Management Committees (SMCs) and community participation in education is vital for the successful execution of educational policies; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b):  National  Education Policy (NEP), 2020  emphasizes the participation of community and parents in helping the child to learn appropriately and in achievement of learning outcomes. Section 21 of Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates the formation of School Management Committees (SMCs) in all government and government-aided schools, ensuring 50% representation of women and adequate representation of parents from disadvantaged groups. Para 5.11 of NEP, 2020 states that in collaboration with parents and other key local stakeholders, teachers will also be more involved in the governance  of  schools/school  complexes,  including  as  members  of  the  School  Management Committees/School Complex Management Committees.

Under  Samagra  Shiksha,  a  flagship  scheme  of  the  Department  of  School  Education  and Literacy, Ministry of Education, there is a provision of Community Mobilization under Quality and Innovation  interventions  which  states  that  community  mobilization  and  close  involvement  of community members in implementation of Education is extremely critical as it fosters 'bottom-up approach' not only in effective planning and implementation of interventions in the schools but also in effective monitoring, evaluation and ownership of the Government programmes by the community.

One  of  the  major  activities  of  Community  Mobilization  component  is  constitution  of SMC/School  Management  Development  Committee  (SMDC)  in  every  school  which  includes representative of local authorities, academicians, subject experts, officials, representative of disadvantaged groups, women and parents/guardians of students, in accordance with the RTE Act. In addition, following initiatives have also been taken by the Department to connect communities with Schools:

-  Vidyanjali  2.0 :  It  encourages  individuals,  civil  societies  and  corporates  sector  to  support schools  through  volunteering,  mentorship,  infrastructure  development,  and  co-scholastic activities.
-  Parental  Awareness  &  Engagement  Programs :  Under  these  programs,  regular  parentteacher meetings (PTMs) and community interactions are organized to ensure participation in student learning and school improvement.
-  ULLAS  (Understanding  Lifelong  Learning  for  All  in  Society) :  The  initiative  aims  to promote literacy and skill-building by involving the community in learning activities.

Community participation is being regularly enhanced as Jan Andolan for various initiatives like Foundational Literacy & Numeracy, Eco clubs, Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, Literacy campaigns, Sports days, Innovative learning, Shiksha Saptah, etc.

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