SMCs recast in 229 Madurai schools

MADURAI: Parents queued up in large numbers to take part in the election of members to the school management committee (SMC) which was reconstituted in all middle schools on Saturday. This is for strengthening the committees and their role in school development. In Madurai district alone, the election was held in 226 middle schools in the first phase.
According to norms, the SMC in a school comprises 20 members including parents, teachers and local elected representatives. District collector S Aneesh Sekhar, along with district chief education officer (CEO) R Swaminathan, visited the government middle school in Jawaharpuram and Alathur panchayat union to see the process. “To ensure quality education to children and for the development of government schools, the role of the SMC is integral. The SMC must also come together to involve themselves in preventing dropouts, ensuring protection of children and increasing admissions to the school for the welfare of the school and children,” said the collector. “Parents of 162 out of 198 students in our school turned up for the election of SMC. A 20-member SMC including 14 parents was formed. With the support of local elected representatives, we hope that the SMC can work towards ensuring better quality of education and facilities for children,” said Joseph Jeyaseelan, headmaster, Singarathoppu corporation middle school.
M Thennavan, headmaster, government middle school, LKP Nagar, said about 60%-70% of parents were actively involved in the election. “As it was a Saturday, there was a slight drop in number. After the constitution, we sat together to come up with a school development plan as well,” he added.