Pvt schools can’t enforce specific vendor, shop upon parents for books, uniform

New Delhi, May 5: In a move to tighten the noose around private schools in the national capital, the Delhi Government on Thursday ordered that the school will not force the parents to buy uniforms and educational materials ffrom certain vendors or shops inside the schools. The non-compliance with the order will attract stringent action from the authorities, the government said. The Department of Education stated in the order that the private schools are run by trusts/societies and have no scope of profit and commercialization. The order further states that schools should display the class-wise list of books/writing materials to be introduced in the coming session as per rule well in advance on the school website and also be communicated clearly to the parents via other media. “Apart from this school shall also display the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least 5 shops in close proximity of the school where books and uniforms shall be made available for students,” the order copy read. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia said the latest directions will bring a sigh of relief for parents who are struggling to pay the heavy amount for books and uniforms in the private schools “Many households have lost their source of income since the Covid-19 pandemic hit two years ago, making it difficult for them to purchase expensive books and uniforms from specific shops which charge arbitrarily. This order will give freedom to parents across the city to buy books and uniforms for their children as per their convenience,” he added. Sisodia also said the main cause of education should be to nurture the future of the nation, not minting money. “Schools should make it a point that they are under the strict supervision of the government and will not be allowed to arbitrarily charge parents for books and uniforms,” he added. DoE has additionally ordered the schools that they must not change the color, design, or any other specifications of uniforms for at least the next three years. (UNI)