Haryana Prohibits Private Schools from Mandating Students to Buy Books & Stationery from their Designated Booksellers

This judgment was made after the school education department asked district authorities to guarantee that private schools under their jurisdiction adhered to the standards.

on Apr 06, 2023

Haryana Prohibits Private Schools from Mandating Students to Buy Books & Stationery from their Designated Booksellers

In response to a flood of complaints from parents, the school education department explained that, under Rule 6 of the Haryana School Education Act, private schools could not compel parents and pupils to buy books and stationery from them or dealers appointed by their administration.

The district education department told private schools in the city on Wednesday that they must follow the rules outlined in the Haryana School Education Act.

This judgment was made after the school education department asked district authorities to guarantee that private schools under their jurisdiction adhered to the standards. The administration also asked schools to provide information about the fees they collect.

"The guidelines established by the Act are quite straightforward and self-explanatory."

Schools should follow these. Failure to comply will be deemed a breach of Rule 6 of the Act, which states that schools cannot coerce parents to purchase books from them," said district education officer (DEO) Indu Boken.

TOI reported in December 2021 that the government changed the Haryana Education Regulations 2003 to limit arbitrary fee rises in private schools. The modified Act further stated that no student should be required to buy books, workbooks, stationery, shoes, socks, uniforms, or other items from a shop suggested by recognized schools.