The Ministry of Education (MoE) on May 21, 2026, notified regarding the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026.
The following has been stated:
• It clarified that the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026, launched on May 6, 2026, to strengthen community participation and decentralized school governance, will not apply to schools covered under Section 2(n)(iv) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, if such schools do not receive any government aid or grants for meeting their expenses.
• The clarification was issued on May 20, 2026, following representations and concerns raised by certain sections regarding the applicability of the guidelines to differently managed schools. However, the Ministry has encouraged such schools to voluntarily constitute School Management Committees to promote transparency, accountability, community participation, and improved school governance.
• The Ministry emphasized that education is a shared responsibility of the government, schools, parents, and the community, and greater stakeholder collaboration is essential for improving school functioning and learning outcomes for children.
[Press Release ID: 2263719]
