| Now, booksellers fleece parents in Valley | | Govt orders violated | | Mohammad Sarfaraz
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Despite an order from the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), the parents in the Valley are compelled to buy books from selected booksellers.
The new academic session has already begun in both government and private schools and most of the parents complain that some selected booksellers are selling the books prescribed by the schools.
Recently, the DSEK had issued a circular asking all private recognized schools to desist from compelling the parents for purchasing books and uniforms from any particular shop.
"It has come to the notice of Directorate that some private recognized schools are indulging in selling books and uniforms and even parents are being forced to purchase books from some specific private shops, which is against the instructions already issued on the subject," the circular had said.
Taking cognizance of the matter, the DSEK had instructed such schools to desist from this practice.
However a group of parents told Early Times that there is complete violation of the DSEK circular as many schools have opened temporary bookshops in the premises of schools and the parents have to purchase books from these bookshops only.
Ironically, these booksellers denied books to students who had purchased some books from open market, said sources, adding that books are being sold at high prices.
"There is no check on the sale of books in these bookshops running from the schools," a parent told Early Times. "These booksellers are fleecing the parents as if the schools hadn't looted the parents already."
"It seems that the order of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir is not implemented in letter and spirit by most of the schools in the Valley.
Irony is that the books are still available at some selected bookshops be it a Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts," said parents.
Though the DSEK issues circulars from time to time, they are not being implemented on the ground, with the result parents are suffering mental trauma.
The parents have appealed the DSEK, Divisional Commissioner and, DCs and other top officials to take stern actions against the violators. |
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