Expensive school books burn hole in parents’ pockets again

As the new academic session begins, the purchase of books has once again become an expensive affair despite regulations meant to control such costs.

Education has become a non-negotiable expense. Despite government norms, the purchase of books and uniforms continues to drain parents’ finances. With the new academic session approaching, schools are finding loopholes and indirect ways to bypass CBSE and state government guidelines.

While the CBSE has promoted NCERT books and recommends them for Classes I to VIII, most private schools include several books from private publishers in their prescribed lists. An average set of NCERT books (covering four to five main subjects) for primary classes costs around Rs 800-1,000, and for Classes VI to IX, it ranges between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000. However, most parents of students from Classes IV to VIII are purchasing books costing between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000, depending on the school.

“I bought two sets of books (a total of 30 books) for my two children — one in Class VI and the other in Class VIII — for Rs 15,000. One standard set is priced at Rs 7,500. How is this regulated in any sense?” asked a parent, requesting anonymity, in Amritsar.

A recce of bookshops in the Pultighar and Hall Gate areas revealed that books for Classes V to VIII are the most expensive, with schools quietly adding numerous worksheets and workbooks from private publishers in addition to core subject books. “A standard set of three computer science books for my child in Class VI costs Rs 1,500. Also, NCERT books or worksheets are sold with custom school logos and altered layouts at inflated prices, making last year’s books unusable,” said another parent whose child studies at a popular private school on Batala Road.

Prefixed MRPs, internal assessment booklets and printed worksheet modules are being used as loopholes to extract additional money from parents.

Meanwhile, a District Fee Regulatory Committee has been set up to monitor and take action against private schools. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Commissioner and includes members such as the District Education Officer, retired educationists, parents and representatives from civil society. While it has the authority to act against violations and regulate private schools, it often remains inactive, waiting for formal complaints from parents.

“The DC or the DEO has the power to act against violations and reprimand schools. So far, we have not received any complaints regarding the sale of books or uniforms. If parents are facing difficulties, they should come forward,” said DEO Rajesh Sharma.

However, many parents remain hesitant, fearing their children could be targeted. One parent, Anita Khanna from Kabir Park, said the manipulation in the sale of books is an open secret. “Some private school managements ensure that a known person gets a licence to open a bookshop months before admissions begin. These shops stock customised bundles, often overpriced, and sometimes books are school-branded or slightly modified, making them difficult to find elsewhere. Parents are left with no choice,” she said.