Take Action Against Schools Forcing To Buy Books, Uniform From Specific Vendor: Delhi Minister Atishi

Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena on Friday directed the officials to initiate action against the schools that are forcing parents of students to buy expensive books and uniforms from specific vendors. She said that violations of education department guidelines will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against such schools.

Sources claim that on March 17, instructions were previously delivered to the schools regarding how to adhere to the rules for the selling of textbooks and school clothes. She has made it quite clear in her order to the schools that they must either stop requiring parents to purchase books and clothes from particular sellers or prepare to suffer the repercussions. The directive makes it very clear that in the event of any complaint, prompt notice must be given with justification.

According to the minister, their department has been receiving several complaints over the past few days that parents are being forced to buy books and uniforms from a particular vendor. Some parents also met the minister and brought the concern to her notice.

The education minister for Delhi stated, “There have been ongoing accusations that parents of students attending private schools are being pressured to purchase pricey textbooks and school uniforms from particular vendors. Recently, I met some parents who informed me of this. It is important to identify those schools and punish them severely.”

“Every parent has the right to obtain proper information about books and uniforms for the upcoming session before the start of the new academic year,” she cited, “so that they can arrange for them according to their convenience and not be forced by the school to buy them from specific shops or sources.” The goal of education should be to build the future of the country, not to make money.

Atishi added in her statement that the purpose of education should be to build the future of the country, not to earn money. She also said that it is the right of every parent to arrange the books and uniforms at their convenience. The instructions are also been given to the school to display the list of books and other study materials on their website or school before the beginning of the new academic session. They also must display at least five nearby shops’ addresses and phone numbers, where parents can purchase books and uniforms.

Atishi added that the instructions issued by the education department last year allowed parents to purchase books and clothing for their children from wherever it was most convenient for them. So, if schools are forcing parents to buy from them or particular vendors and violating the rules, disciplinary action will be taken against such schools.

The instruction given to the schools also stipulates that they must wait at least three years before changing the colour, style, or other details of the school uniforms.