Schools are not business hubs, so stop selling books and uniforms: CBSE

CBSE issues a new directive to schools, banning sale of uniforms and books It also directs school to stick to NCERT books

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has crashed down on schools affiliated to it saying that they should immediately stop selling book,s notebooks and school uniforms in school premises. The board was prompted to take this action when distressed teachers complained to it that schools forced them to buy books and accessories from the school alone. They also informed the board that the products were sold at a much higher rate than the market price. 

Following this, a circular was sent to the schools, which said, "The board has taken a serious view of the complaints and 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. CBSE norms mandate that schools are run as community service and not as a business and that commercialisation does not take place in the school in any shape whatsoever. Educational institutions are not commercial establishments and their sole purpose is to provide quality education."

The board also emphasised that schools should stick to the books recommended by the NCERT and not force parents and teachers to buy books other than the ncert. Thus, the circular read, "The Board receives reports and complaints regarding the pressure exercised by schools on children and their parents to buy textbooks other than [that of] NCERT."

This notice was issued after complaints of inavailability of ncert books was registered with the board. The CBSE asked the schools to raise online indent for NCERT textbooks. In fact, more than 2000 schools had participated in this.