New Delhi, May 6: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the ‘School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines-2026’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday, calling for collective efforts to improve the quality of education and ensure holistic development of schools.

Pradhan said the SMC guidelines would serve as a bridge between teachers, parents and students, and help make school governance more transparent and effective. He emphasised that the guidelines would contribute to creating a healthy teaching-learning environment while institutionalising strong emotional and social participation among schools, families and communities.

He stressed that all stakeholders must work together for the overall development of schools, maintaining discipline and ensuring quality education.

Highlighting reforms under National Education Policy 2020, the minister said that keeping in view the needs of the new generation, computational thinking and AI-based education have been introduced from Class 3 onwards.

He noted that major initiatives such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, PM SHRI Schools, PM POSHAN Scheme, Atal Tinkering Labs and ULLAS Programme are bringing large-scale transformation in the education sector.

Pradhan further highlighted that continuous efforts are being made to improve digital literacy, reduce dropout rates and expand opportunities for girls, especially in STEM education. In this regard, he pointed out that the initiative to establish 500-bed girls’ hostels in every district is a significant step towards enhancing access and participation in education.

He said that when schools and society work together with mutual trust and shared responsibility, education becomes a comprehensive social process that lays the foundation for children’s holistic development and nation-building.

Emphasising growing societal responsibility alongside increasing prosperity, the minister urged stakeholders to take ownership in ensuring nutritious food for children in anganwadis and schools, and to prioritise their mental and physical well-being. He also called for encouraging students to actively participate in tree plantation drives, stating that environmental awareness should be a shared responsibility of both teachers and students.

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Pradhan said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, effective implementation of NEP 2020 and achieving the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ require that School Management Committees evolve into a mass movement. He stressed that society must discharge its responsibilities with full participation to strengthen school governance systems.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would enhance community participation, strengthen institutional mechanisms and play a crucial role in building a bright future for every child.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, Chhattisgarh School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav, along with eminent educationists and teachers, were present at the event.