Private schools flout CBSE ban: Parents

NEW DELHI/NOIDA/GURUGRAM: CBSE has sent several advisories to private schools against the sale of uniforms and stationery on the school premises. Schools, however, have continued operations, calling it a gesture of goodwill for working parents.
School officials pointed out that as per the CBSE circular, they are not forcing parents into buying uniform and stationery from their vendors and have given parents the option of getting their books from outside if need be.
While schools claim they are running ‘sale counters’ to make life easier for parents, some parents have complained that don’t have the option of buying books from outside as they don’t even get the list of items to be purchased.
Parent associations have complained that several schools have their books published privately. “The books being sold are from publications of the school management. In Apeejay School in Noida, books are sold from Satya Publications, a subsidiary of Apeejay,” said Yatendra Kasana, president of All Noida School Parents Association.
However, a principal of an east Delhi school claimed they had to depend on private publishers for primary section books because NCERT books are not available. “We have our teachers creating these books based on the children’s learning-level because NCERT books are only available for higher classes,” he said.
Parents claim that buying school items from the school vendor turns out to be heavier on the pocket. “When we buy a book from outside, we usually get a discount of around 15%. But the school vendor sells at MRP,” said a parent.
“The entire bundle that the school vendor gives us costs between Rs 6,000 - Rs 12, 000. NCERT books hardly cost between Rs 20 - Rs 120,” said Ramesh Rana, president of All India Parents Forum for Education in Gurgaon.
Some schools have, however, shut shop after consistent reminders by CBSE. A spokesperson for Kothari International School in Noida said, “Most parents are working professionals and hence demand the books be made available inside the school premises. However, we have closed the shop after the CBSE advisory.”