Performance and effectiveness of School Management Committees (SMC) of BRAC schools

Abstract

The study examined the School Management Committees of NFPE schools. With the knowledge of supposed ineffectiveness of the committees, the goal was to find out what practices could be reinstated, or what could be done differently in order to have proper and effective management committees in all BRAC schools. By conducting focus Group Discussions with eight Management Committees from two NFPE areas, the study determined a few areas of concern, such as committee formation, participation, orientation, monitoring, supervision and so forth.

The study suggests that an orientation must be provided to all the members when the committee is formed, about their duties, responsibilities, and obligations. Such an orientation session may involve greater community participation, so that the school community and parents become aware of the existence of the committee and it's responsibilities. The process of committee formation has to be made more participatory so that the community is more involved. The attendance of committee members at monthly parents meetings must be ascertained at the end of each year and frequently absent members could be requested to tum his/ her responsibilities to another motivated and aspiring parent or guardian for smooth running of the SMC activities. Proper monitoring of management committee ·activities must be carried out throughout the year, so that accountability is ensured.