Private schools to not change uniforms for next 3 years, nor force parents to parents to buy expensive books: DoE
India Today
The Directorate of Education(DoE) has warned private schools against forcing parents to buy expensive study materials and directed them not to change uniforms for the next 3 years.
Private schools in Delhi were warned by the Delhi government on Thursday if they forced parents to buy expensive educational materials and uniforms from the school or any specific vendor. Additionally, the schools were further directed against changing the colour, design, or any other specification of uniforms for at least three years. In an official order, the Directorate of Education (DoE) stated that private schools are run by trusts or societies, and thus have no scope for profit and commercialisation.
The DoE order went on to state, "Schools shall display class-wise list of books and writing materials to be introduced in the coming session as per rule well in advance on the school website, and (this should) also be communicated clearly to parents via other media."
In addition to this, the order further directed schools to display names, addresses, and telephone numbers of a minimum of five shops in close proximity to the school where books and uniforms are going to be available.
The DoE order further said, "However, schools are not allowed to force parents to purchase these things from any of the selected vendors particularly. Parents can buy books and uniforms from any shop as per their convenience and suitability."
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia remarked that this order will provide relief to those parents who are struggling to pay heavy amounts for books and uniforms in private schools.
The deputy CM further added, "Many households have lost their source of income since the COVID-19 pandemic hit two years ago, making it difficult for them to purchase expensive books and uniforms from specific shops which charge arbitrarily.”
He went on to say that this order will provide freedom to parents across the city to buy books and uniforms for their wards at their convenience.
