The Department of Public Instruction has prohibited private schools across Mysuru district from selling uniforms and books on the school premises.
A decision was taken at a recent meeting of Education Department officials chaired by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat P.A. Gopal.
Mr. Gopal told The Hindu that a decision to prohibit private school managements from selling uniforms, shoes, notebooks, textbooks and other stationeries on the school premises was taken following complaints the authorities had received from various organisations.
For instance, if a book is available for Rs. 50, some school managements were selling it for a higher price, he said. As the required notebooks and textbooks were all available in the market, there was no need for the schools to sell the same to their students on the school premises.
“In some cases, the school managements had colluded with manufacturers to sell uniform and shoes,” Mr. Gopal said. “If the school uniform is to be worn with black shoes, it is enough if the management informs the students to wear black shoes. They will get it in the market.” The meeting was attended by Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) H.R. Basappa, Block Education Officers (BEO) of Mysuru district, representatives of various organisations and a few parents. Mr. Gopal said the prohibition to sell uniforms and books on the school premises, however, did not cover CBSE and ICSE schools.
