Delhi DoE dissolves all school management committees; fresh elections on May 9

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Delhi's Directorate of Education has dissolved all school management committees. Fresh elections are scheduled for May 9. This decision follows parent protests over fee hikes. New committees must include 50% women. Representation from marginalized communities is mandatory. The SMC oversees school operations and admissions. Election committees will be formed at each school. Results will be announced the next day.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi has dissolved all existing School Management Committees (SMCs) in government schools due to parental frustration over alleged fee hikes and mismanagement NEW DELHI: Directorate of Education (DoE) has announced the immediate dissolution of all existing school management committees (SMCs) in govt schools across Delhi. According to a recent circular, fresh elections will be held on May 9 to reconstitute these committees. The circular states that a school-level election committee , led by the head of school and supported by a teacher convener, will oversee the election process to establish new SMCs in each school.

You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The move comes in the backdrop of widespread frustration among parents, leading to protests, because of an alleged fee hike. Many parents blamed the mismanagement of SMCs, where such issues should have been addressed, for the turmoil. “The competent authority decided to dissolve all existing school management committees for all govt and govt-aided schools of Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi, with immediate effect.



Further, a school-level SMC election committee, headed by the head of school concerned and assisted by its respective teacher convener, would conduct the elections to reconstitute a new SMC of their respective schools,” reads the circular. In the new SMC elections, the DoE outlined several guidelines. The newly formed SMC must include at least 50% women members, and it must also have representation from marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes , or the Economically Weaker Sections .

The elected parent members will select a vice-chairperson from among themselves. Additionally, the SMC will invite three teachers specialising in social science, science, and mathematics to join as special invitees. “The SMC plays a crucial role in overseeing the school’s operations, managing the admission process, and assessing the needs of students and teachers.

It typically comprises 12 parent members, the school principal, a teacher representative, a local authority member, and a social worker, with a two-year tenure,” explained an official. The nomination forms will be checked by May 7. These forms should include the parent’s personal details—name, address, phone number, and a photograph—along with the name, class, and roll number of their child.

Candidates are also required to explain how they would contribute to the school if elected and secure signatures from five other parents in support of their candidacy. The school’s Election Committee will review these nominations and post the final list of candidates. Voting is scheduled for May 9, with morning shift schools conducting elections from 8am to 11am, and evening shift schools from 1pm to 4pm, with results coming out the next day.

To maintain order, the use of loudspeakers, posters, or crowds near the school premises will not be permitted during the voting process. To further ensure the election process runs smoothly, the deputy directors of education will establish a three-member permanent core group at the district level. This group, consisting of a school head and two teachers, will be responsible for appointing social workers to the SMC and overseeing the election process.

The order also specified that the first meeting of the newly formed SMC should take place on the next working day after election results are announced, during which members may choose a vice-chairperson from among themselves..