The Odisha government has directed all government and government-aided schools across the state to constitute new School Management Committees (SMCs) from July 1, 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the existing SMCs and School Management and Development Committees (SMDCs) on June 30.
The fresh guidelines have been issued by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) to strengthen school governance, improve accountability, and increase community participation in school administration.
One Unified School Management Committee for Every School
Under the revised framework, every school will have a single School Management Committee instead of separate SMCs and SMDCs.
The committee will also include two dedicated sub-committees:
- School Building Committee – to oversee infrastructure development and maintenance.
- Academic Committee – to monitor teaching, learning outcomes, and academic activities.
The move aims to streamline school administration while ensuring greater focus on infrastructure and education quality.
SMC Size to Depend on Student Enrolment
The size of the School Management Committee will vary according to the school’s student strength.
- Schools with up to 100 students will have 12 to 15 members.
- Schools with 100 to 500 students will constitute 15 to 20-member committees.
- Schools with more than 500 students will have 20 to 25 members.
This structure is intended to ensure effective representation based on the size of each institution.
Parents to Play a Key Role in School Governance
The new guidelines place strong emphasis on community participation.
Around 75% of the committee members will be parents or guardians of students studying in the school.
The government has also mandated inclusive representation by ensuring:
- At least 50% women members.
- Representation from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and parents or guardians of Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
The inclusive structure aims to make school decision-making more representative and participatory.
Timeline for Formation of New School Management Committees
OSEPA has issued a detailed schedule for the constitution of the committees.
- July 1–15: Parent-Teacher Meetings and selection or election of SMC members.
- July 17: Formal constitution of the School Management Committee.
- July 22: Submission of resolutions and consolidated committee details to OSEPA authorities.
Schools have been instructed to complete the process within the prescribed timeline.
Major Responsibilities of School Management Committees
The newly formed SMCs will be responsible for monitoring several key aspects of school functioning, including:
- Student attendance.
- Midday Meal Programme implementation.
- School infrastructure and maintenance.
- Student safety and security.
- Financial management.
- Effective implementation of government education schemes.
The committees will also conduct monthly meetings and maintain proper records of their decisions to ensure transparency and accountability.
Initiative Aligned with National Education Reforms
According to the government, the new School Management Committee framework has been introduced to strengthen grassroots participation in school governance.
The initiative aligns with the objectives of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, with the goal of improving the quality, transparency, and overall functioning of government schools across Odisha.
