BMC schools start SMC to help students’ development
In order to understand students better and facilitate their overall growth, civicrun schools have started School Management Committees (SMCs). These committees help parents and teachers to discuss student related issues and come up with solutions.
SMC meetings are being conducted every month wherein teachers explain behaviour of students in terms of academic excellence, classroom activities, interest of each child and peer group pressure. While parents explain the behavioural patterns of their children at home – their psychological patterns, interest level and attention span. This helps create solutions to tackle difficulties faced by students in the classroom and at home.
Parents and teachers are helping each other to create transparency and encourage holistic development among students through SMC. Mahesh Palkar, BMC Education officer told The Free Press Journal, "SMC is a unique platform where teachers and parents can interact with each other regularly and discuss student related matters. We are conducting SMC meetings on monthly basis so teachers and parents are aware about what's being taught in the classroom and also what students are doing at home."
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) education department conducts two to three days training workshops for parents who are members of SMC. Palkar added, "We educate parents about skills on how to help students deal with academic pressure. We inform parents not to pressurise students, but to listen to them and understand their views in terms of their school activities. At the same time, we inform teachers to deal with students in a patient way in a similar manner as parents deal with them at home."
Parents revealed, SMC helps holistic growth of students by creating a constant common platform. Anjali Sinha, a parent who is SMC member said, "Through SMC we are well aware and informed about activities going on in school. And, we also understand how teachers are dealing with students on a regular basis beyond academic performance. It is a good way to help students of civic-run schools as they need help and counselling."