Section 21 of RTE Act : Section 21: School Management Committee

Explanation using Example

Imagine a public school in a small town where parents are actively involved in their children's education. According to Section 21 of The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, this school is required to form a School Management Committee (SMC). The SMC must include parents of students, teachers, and elected members of the local authority. At least 75% of the SMC's members are parents, ensuring they have a significant voice in the school's management.

For example, Mrs. Sharma, a parent of a child in the 5th grade, is elected to the SMC. She, along with other parents, constitutes more than half of the committee's membership, and women like her make up at least 50% of the SMC. The committee meets to discuss the school's functioning, develop a plan for school improvement, and oversee the use of government grants.

One key issue on their agenda is to ensure the school has adequate resources for disadvantaged students. As a member, Mrs. Sharma helps monitor the school's performance and advocates for initiatives that support children from weaker sections of society.

The SMC also advises on the performance of the school's teachers, but in the state of Rajasthan, an amendment has added a specific function: to ensure that teachers fulfill their duties as outlined in Section 24 of the Act. This means the SMC in Rajasthan has an additional responsibility to monitor and verify that teachers are attending school regularly and completing their teaching assignments.