The order brings relief to parents struggling to pay hefty amounts for books and uniforms.

In an order issued recently, the Delhi government asked private schools to not force parents to buy expensive education material and uniforms from school or any specific vendor, failing which they would risk facing “stringent action”.

The order issued by the Directorate of Education highlighted that private schools are run by trusts/societies and have “no scope of profit and commercialization”.

The order read that schools should display the class-wise list of books/writing material to be introduced in the coming session, well in advance on the school website, and also communicate it clearly to parents via other media. 

The order issued further read, “Apart from this, schools shall also display the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five shops in proximity to the school where books and uniforms shall be made available for students. However, schools are not allowed to force parents to purchase these from any of the selected vendors particularly. Parents can buy the books and uniforms from any shop as per their convenience and suitability”.