JOIN USCBSE directs schools to sell only NCERT textbooks
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed schools to sell only textbooks published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on its premises.
In the latest circular, the Board also made it clear to the schools that they should not force parents to buy NCERT books or stationary items from their shops inside the campus.
"It is clarified that schools can open small outlets for the supply of NCERT books only. It may be noted that selling books other than the NCERT books in these shops will be considered a violation of this circular and will attract action," the board stated in a circular to over 18,000 schools affiliated to it.
This comes months after the CBSE permitted schools to open a "tuck shop" on their respective campus to sell NCERT books and stationery items.
The Board has warned the principals and management of the schools against charging money higher than the maximum retail price (MRP) of stationery items.
"The schools are also permitted to provide stationery items to its students such as pen, pencil, copy, register, notebooks, erasers, sharpeners, blank sheets as well as art and craft materials etc. The price charged for all these items should not be more than the MRP," the board said.
The CBSE secretary, Anurag Tripathi, said that the Board has issued the circular after receiving "various communications from the stakeholders" seeking clarification on the scope of its previous circular that permitted schools to open a tuck shop.
Following complaints from parents, the Board had last year warned schools against indulging in profiteering by selling books and stationery items from their "commercial shops."
Several schools later stopped selling books and stationery items from their premises on receipt of the CBSE directive.