Community Involvement in Primary School Governance in Cambodia : School support committees

This study investigates the role of school support committees (SSCs) in primary school governance in Cambodia by addressing three research questions: (a) what are the characteristics of SSCs in primary school governance; (b) to what extent do SSCs become involved in managing their own schools; and (c) to what extent is SSC involvement in school governance related to school outcomes? Through the analyses of the dataset derived from the questionnaire surveys with 229 SSC members and interviews with 75 local stakeholders including SSC members, school principals, and other local educational authorities conducted in the central part of Cambodia, the results of the study indicate that SSC involvement in school governance is moderate, considering the fact that SSCs became more involved in internal school governance affairs beyond conventional financial contribution to schools. Apparently, the imposition of SSCs in school governance through formal endorsement of financial expenditure plans and implementation of school development plans has deepen the role of SSCs in the management of the internal school affairs. However, the survey results of this study found that there are some significant challenges facing school and SSCs regarding the use of school funds. Irregular flow of money and strict guidelines laid down on each priority area may prevent SSCs from any initiative to meet school's priority needs. This study suggests that efforts to improve school funding mechanism may contribute to resolve such negative effects. One way, presumably, is to allow educational authorities at school level, most importantly SSCs, more discretion in how to use school funds.