In recent times, many news have come to light across the country regarding school uniforms and books. Parents complain that private schools put pressure on them to buy new uniforms and books only from designated shops every year, which puts additional burden on their pockets. This issue is now becoming not just a matter of inconvenience, but a question related to transparency and equality of education.
It is often seen that schools decide on such books in the name of their curriculum which are not easily available in the general market. Parents are forced to buy books at expensive prices from the shopkeeper recommended by the school. The practice of purchasing new books every year by making minor changes in the curriculum has also become common, due to which the old set does not get used.
The situation is similar regarding uniforms. Many schools authorize special shops from where it is mandatory to purchase uniforms. The prices at these shops are often higher than the market. Also, old clothes are made useless by making small changes in the design. This puts additional financial pressure on middle class families.
Instructions have been issued from time to time by the Education Department and the Government that schools cannot force parents to buy from any one shop. The list of books and uniforms should be public, so that parents can buy from anywhere at their convenience. Despite this, these rules are not being followed completely at the ground level.
This problem can be solved not only by making rules but by strictly following them. Schools should:
Provide proper and stable inventory of books and uniforms
Avoid unnecessary changes every year
Give parents freedom to buy from the open market
At the same time, the administration should also ensure regular inspection and prompt action on complaints.
Parents will also have to be aware. If any school puts pressure on forced purchase, a complaint can be made to the Education Department. By raising voice collectively, rapid improvement in such matters is possible.
School uniforms and books are definitely a part of education, but they should not become a medium of commerce. The aim of education is the development of children, not to increase the financial burden on parents. There is a need that schools, parents and administration together create a system which is accessible, transparent and equitable.
Comments are closed.