Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): Amid parent's complaints of schools pressuring students to buy course books from the listed shops only, the Gwalior collector has issued guidelines under section 144 to break the nexus between private schools and shopkeepers.
Collector Akshay Kumar, in the order, wrote that due to the nexus between the private school operators and the shopkeeper, uniforms, books, shoes, all these items are sold to the parents thrice the number and in return many school operators also take a hefty commission from the shopkeepers.
This is the reason why books are becoming expensive and unaffordable fort the common man. The order of the Collector will be applicable from April 1 and should be followed by all the schools. In case of negligence by any school director, a case will be registered against them
As per the order:
1. The school administration should upload the lists of books for new session prior to final exams. The same list should also be put up on a school notice board.
2. The school will not force the students and their parents to buy the listed books. Parents will be able to buy books till June 15, 2023, depending on the availability.
3. The school director/principal will ensure that the students are not forced to buy books published by private publishers/printers on subjects like moral education, general knowledge, computers etc.
4. No student will be bound by the seller to buy the complete set of books of any class. If any student has half set of second-hand books of the course, then they can buy the books that are missing. And the shopkeeper cannot deny them or force them into buying full set.
5. No school will be able to set more than two uniforms. Blazer/Sweater will be in addition. Also, schools cannot make any changes to the uniform for at least 3 years. Students/parents cannot be forced to buy costumes for annual fest or any other event.
