The School Management Committee (SMC) is an important mechanism for ensuring participatory governance and effective administration of elementary schools under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The present study examines the awareness of SMC members regarding their roles and functions in managing elementary schools in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. The study was conducted among 57 SMC members selected from different elementary schools of the district through a descriptive survey method. A self-developed interview schedule was used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that a majority of SMC members had experience of serving in the committee for more than one year. Although proper selection procedures were followed during the constitution of SMCs, a considerable proportion of members lacked adequate awareness regarding their roles, responsibilities, and financial management functions. The study also found that school heads played a dominant role in initiating meetings and guiding committee activities. Limited participation of members in financial decision-making and insufficient orientation programmes was identified as major challenges affecting the effective functioning of SMCs in the district. The study emphasizes the need for systematic training programmes, financial transparency, community participation, and collaborative engagement among stakeholders to strengthen the effectiveness of School Management Committees and promote quality elementary education in the district. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, educational administrators, school leaders, and community stakeholders in Arunachal Pradesh.
Meto et al. (2026) studied this question.