Maharashtra Bans Schools from Forcing Uniform and Book Purchases from Specific Vendors
The Maharashtra school education department has issued a new circular prohibiting all primary and secondary schools from compelling parents to purchase uniforms, textbooks, or other materials from specific vendors or through the school administration. This directive, aimed at curbing profiteering and inflated rates, reiterates a 2004 Government Resolution and applies to all institutions regardless of affiliation, including State Board, CBSE, ICSE, private, and aided schools. Ahead of the June academic session, local education offices are instructed to establish formal grievance redressal mechanisms, including dedicated email IDs and nodal officers, to handle parental complaints. Schools must use textbooks prescribed by SCERT and NCERT or approved by respective boards, avoiding mandates for private publishers. School Management Committees are required to pass resolutions affirming compliance. While officials emphasize strict adherence and investigation of violations, some parents remain skeptical about effective implementation, citing historical lack of enforcement despite existing rules. The move seeks to provide a designated platform for reporting coercion in educational material sales.
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Maharashtra Bans Schools from Forcing Uniform and Book Purchases from Specific Vendors
The Maharashtra school education department has issued a new circular prohibiting all primary and secondary schools from compelling parents to purchase uniforms, textbooks, or other materials from specific vendors or through the school administration. This directive, aimed at curbing profiteering and inflated rates, reiterates a 2004 Government Resolution and applies to all institutions regardless of affiliation, including State Board, CBSE, ICSE, private, and aided schools. Ahead of the June academic session, local education offices are instructed to establish formal grievance redressal mechanisms, including dedicated email IDs and nodal officers, to handle parental complaints. Schools must use textbooks prescribed by SCERT and NCERT or approved by respective boards, avoiding mandates for private publishers. School Management Committees are required to pass resolutions affirming compliance. While officials emphasize strict adherence and investigation of violations, some parents remain skeptical about effective implementation, citing historical lack of enforcement despite existing rules. The move seeks to provide a designated platform for reporting coercion in educational material sales.
The Indian Express