Delhi Govt Sends Show-Cause Notices To 12 Schools Over Expensive Books and Uniforms

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 20th April. The Delhi government has issued show-cause notices to 12 private schools and begun an investigation into six more schools over the high cost of books and uniforms, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The “immediate action” was taken in response to parents’ complaints, according to the Delhi government’s statement.

Delhi Education Minister Atishi has also stated that “unsatisfactory responses” from schools will result in stern action.

“Following complaints from parents, show cause notices were sent to private schools for charging exorbitantly high for books and uniforms. Strict action under the Delhi School Education Act 1973 to be taken against schools violating the guidelines of the Education Department on books and uniforms. Unsatisfactory response from schools on the issue will lead to strict action against them,” Atishi said.

On April 7, the AAP Minister took note of the issue of private schools pressuring parents to purchase pricey books and uniforms from specific vendors and urged the Education Department to take stern action against these schools.

“Violation of Education Department guidelines on books and school uniforms by private schools will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against such schools,” Atishi had said in a statement.

The Education Department had issued strict instructions to schools on March 17 to comply with the guidelines on the sale of books and school uniforms. It states that immediate notice must be issued stating the reasons in case of any complaint. In case of violation, action will be taken under the relevant provisions of the DSE Act 1973.

It is to be noted that the guidelines of the Education Department state that private schools must display a class-wise list of books and other study materials on their website before the beginning of the new academic session to inform parents. Additionally, schools must also display at least five nearby shops’ addresses and phone numbers on their websites where parents can purchase books and school uniforms. Parents have the freedom to buy these items from any store as per their convenience, and the school cannot compel them to purchase from a particular vendor.

Private schools are also prohibited from changing the color, pattern, or other parameters of school uniforms for at least three years, according to the standards.