news details |
|
|
| Schools force parents to purchase books, uniforms from particular shops | | DSEJ’s directions thrown to winds | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 23: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has repeatedly ordered the private schools to refrain from forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms and stationery items from particular designated shops but several private schools in Jammu district are openly indulged in such illegal and unethical practices.
According to documents in possession of Early Times, several private schools have been issuing written directions to the parents to purchase books, uniforms from particular designated shops in total violation of the order issued by DSE Jammu.
As per notice forwarded to the parents by a school in Janipur area of Jammu city, the parents have been asked to purchase books from a particular bookshop, while the items are to be purchased by parents of the students of 2nd standard include eight books Sunbeans-2, Mastering Grammar-2, Vatika-2, Vyakaran Bharti-2, The World Around Us-2, Explore Mathematics Part-2, Cyber tools Part-2 and The Book of Awesome knowledge Part-2, while the publisher of each book is also mentioned.
Moreover, the stationery items to be purchased by parents from the same shop includes, “Two lamination rolls, one pencil packet and 13 copies”.
Similarly another renowned school has also directed the parents to purchase books, stationery as well as uniform from a particular book shop.
However, forcing the parents to purchase above mentioned items from particular shops totally violates repeated orders issued by DSEJ. One such order issued in the year 2018 which is still available on the website of DSEJ reads, “It has been observed that some private schools are selling school uniforms/books either in their school premises or at designated private shops at high rates and parents are forced to purchase these items from pre-determined shops. Management of private schools are already advised from time to time to desist from such activities as such activities of private schools do not provide due choice to the parents except to accept what is forced upon them.”
It further reads, “In view of this and in order to check this unethical practice it is hereby ordered that following committee shall keep a close eye on the practice of private schools of selling uniforms, books etc either from schools or designated private shop only and furnish fortnightly action taken reports to this Directorate for taking necessary action against the defaulters”.
The four members committee in each district is headed by Chief Education Officer (CEO) as Chairman, Deputy CEO, senior most principal of Higher Secondary, Assistant Director of CEO as members.
“The book shops available in the free market or online platforms give huge concession on the purchase of books, stationery, uniforms but the designated shops sell these items at exorbitant rates and pocket huge profit. Given the callous attitude of the concerned authorities the parents are left with no choice but to shell out huge amount,” a parent said.
An official posted at DSEJ said, “It is not the case of one or two schools but most of the private schools across Jammu province are indulged in such unethical practices as the admission session is at its peak. The authorities responsible to check these practices are either in slumber or have turned silent due to reasons best known to them”, an official of Directorate said, adding that the concerned administrative secretary should take cognizance of the matter and break the monopoly of these schools.
Chief Education Officer Jammu Vijay Kumar Sharma said that there were standing directions and private schools could not force the parents to purchase any item from any particular shop. Sharma added that strict action would be taken against any school found violating the laid guidelines and even recognition of the school could be cancelled. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
