Exorbitant rates of books: DSEK directs officials to constitute inspection teams
Srinagar: Amid a huge outcry against the private schools for fleecing the parents, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir has directed all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to constitute inspection teams to put a check on the illegal profiteering of these private schools.
The private schools have come under severe criticism for openly fleecing the parents of the students enrolled in these institutions by forcing them to purchase the text books from the respective campuses. Also, some schools have outsourced this business to particular book sellers who sell these books at exorbitant rates.
This newspaper also reported about the illegal profiteering of these private schools.
Following the complaints pouring in against the private educational institutions CEOs have been asked to regulate the distribution of text books in their respective districts.
“It has come to the notice of this directorate that some private recognized schools are indulging in selling of books and uniforms and even parents are being forced to purchase books from some specific private shops,” reads the circular issued by the DSEK.
It reads that such practice was against the instructions already issued regarding the matter.
“It is once again enjoined upon all the private recognized schools that they should desist from compelling the parents for purchasing books and school uniforms from any particular shop,” it reads.
It further adds that open market mechanism shall be followed by the private schools in order to have a wider choice for the parents for purchase of books and uniforms for their school going kids.
“No book with labeled or stamped price shall be allowed to be sold in the market,” the circular reads, adding that any deviation from these instructions, if noticed, shall be viewed seriously.
“Action will be taken as per the provisions of the law which may include derecognition or withdrawal of NOC of the schools,” the DSEK circular reads.
The department has asked the CEOs to constitute special monitoring teams to verify the complaints received on account of sale of books and uniforms by the schools or pressing parents for purchase from any particular shop.
“Action taken in this regard shall be submitted to this Directorate on weekly basic,” it reads.
KV Correspondent
