Decentralization of School Governance in India: Emerging Models

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Yogesh Pawar

Independent Researcher

Maharashtra, India

Abstract
Over the past three decades, India’s educational landscape has witnessed a paradigm shift from centralized administration toward localized governance models, designed to empower communities and enhance accountability. This manuscript delves into the evolution, implementation, and outcomes of decentralization initiatives in school governance, focusing on emerging models such as School Management Committees (SMCs), Village Education Committees (VECs), and Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs). Rooted in decentralization theory, the analysis examines legislative milestones—including the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)—and situates them within the broader discourse on participatory governance. A mixed‑methods approach was employed: a quantitative survey of 100 stakeholders (teachers, parents, local administrators) across five diverse states, complemented by thematic analysis of open‑ended responses. Key findings indicate that while SMCs and VECs have significantly improved transparency, resource mobilization, and localized decision‑making, disparities in capacity, political interference, and inequitable resource distribution persist. The study recommends targeted capacity‑building programs for committee members, streamlined fiscal devolution mechanisms, and strengthened safeguards against non‑educational influences. The conclusion outlines avenues for further research, underscores the limitations of the current cross‑sectional design, and highlights the potential for sustainable, context‑sensitive governance reforms to bolster educational equity and outcomes across India.

Keywords
Decentralization, School Governance, India, School Management Committees, Community Participation

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