CBSE warn pvt schools coercing parents to purchase items from them

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a fresh warning to the private schools against 'coercing' parents to buy books, stationary, uniforms, school bags and other items from their campus or the vendors selected by them.

“It has been brought to the notice of the board through various complaints received from parents and other stakeholders that still schools are indulging in commercial activities by way of selling of books and uniforms etc within the school premises or through selected vendors,” the school board said in a circular on Wednesday.

"The schools are directed to desist from the unhealthy practice of coercing parents to buy text books, note books, stationary, uniforms, shoes, school bags etc from within the premise or from selected vendors only," it added.

“The Rule 19.1 (ii) of CBSE affiliation bye-laws mandates that the society/ Trust /Company registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 shall ensure that the school is run as a community service and not as a business and that commercialisation does not take place in the school in any shape whatsoever,” the board said.

 The Board has taken serious note of the complaints received from the parents.

“Hence, once again your attention is drawn that educational institutions are not commercial establishments and their sole purpose is to provide quality education. The school management shall ensure strict compliance of the rules,” the CBSE added.