State bars schools from selling books, uniform

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 24

Acting against the alleged extortion of parents by private schools, the state government has banned the sale of books and uniform in school premises. The Education Department has issued guidelines to this effect to all private schools affiliated to CBSE/ICSE or the PSEB.

The department says non-compliance of guidelines by any school will invite cancellation of the no-objection certificate (NOC).

Earlier, Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla had asked private schools not to compel parents to buy uniform and books from particular shops referred by them.

As per the guidelines, uniform once introduced should remain the same for at least three years. No alteration of any sort can be introduced in that period. Officials said it was parents’ common complaint that the school managements changed uniform every academic session to make money out of it.

It has also been made mandatory for the school authorities to use books based on board syllabus. The department claimed that certain schools recommend books of private publishers. The latter make minor changes every year to bring out new edition even as there is no change in syllabus. This is done to discourage use of secondhand books.

To bring more transparency, the department has asked schools to upload information related to books and uniform on their websites. The department has instructed that the details pertaining to design, colour, texture/material etc. of school uniforms should be uploaded on the school website. Similarly, it has been made mandatory for the schools to upload the list of books as well.

JS Sodhi, president, Budha Dal Public School Parent Association, said, “It is a welcome step. We hope this will end the nexus between the school authorities and shop owners. The schools should also give one year notice before making any change in the uniform.”

No more fleecing

• The private schools have been told not to compel parents to buy uniform and books from particular shops.
• Uniform once introduced should remain the same at least for three years. No alteration will be allowed.
• Schools have also been instructed to upload information related to books and uniform on their websites.
• Books should be strictly as per the syllabus since private publishers make some minor changes every year to bring out new edition even if syllabus is same.