Role of school management committee in strengthening relationships between the school and local community in a community based school in Pakistan

Date of Award

8-1-2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Education (M. Ed.)

Department

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Abstract

Research has shown that School Management Committee (SMC) plays a key role in strengthening relationships between the schools and local communities. Having an interest to know more about the role of SMC in school improvement, I conducted a study of an economically marginalized community. The purpose of this study was to see how school management committee plays an active role in strengthening relationships between the school and local community. This study was conducted using a qualitative research paradigm. There were six primary research participants including principal, SMC members, and teachers. Focused groups of teachers, students, and parents were also involved as secondary research participants in this study. The former principal of the school and a representative of the Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan (AKES, P) were also included in the study as research participants. Interviews, observations and document analysis were used to collect the data for this study. The findings of the study revealed that SMC has a pivotal role in maximizing physical and human resources through strong linkages with parents, teachers, students, individuals and institutions. The findings also illustrated that parents, teachers, students and other key stakeholders involved in the school were aware of their roles as facilitators and supporters of the school. SMC members believed in working with collaboration and fulfilled their roles as the key representatives of the community. The findings confirmed that SMC can bring about positive changes in the school through commitment and consensus. Mutual respect and discipline is given priority and the school by-law is considered as a key document, which is to be followed. The study demonstrated that faith based community participation could bring about positive changes in schools. However, the SMC faced many problems, such as poor socio-economic status of parents, low retention of teachers and unfavorable outside school environments. Thus, SMC members act as change agents and contribute in the school governance, building strong linkages with institutions, parental involvement, monitoring of teachers and school finances, which lead to school improvement.

This document is available in the relevant AKU library

Share

COinS