New Guidelines In Bhopal Schools 2024: In a move to ensure affordability and transparency in school education, the District Education Officer (DEO) in Bhopal has drafted new guidelines aimed at curbing the monopoly of private schools over textbooks and uniforms. These measures are proposed for the 2025-2026 academic session and await the collector’s approval.
Key Proposals in the Draft
The draft guidelines emphasize making textbooks and uniforms more accessible to parents. Private schools will now be required to upload a list of textbooks on an official portal. Additionally, a hard copy of this list must be sent to the DEO’s office, where it will be displayed on the notice board for public viewing.
To prevent unnecessary financial strain on parents, the draft mandates that textbooks should not be changed annually, although minor updates may be allowed. Furthermore, books and uniforms must be available for sale across multiple stores instead of being restricted to a single vendor. The guidelines also prohibit schools from displaying their name or logo on books or uniforms, ensuring parents can buy these items from any retailer without restrictions.
Addressing Long-Standing Concerns
The monopoly of certain private schools and their exclusive arrangements with publishers and vendors has long frustrated parents. Many schools have been accused of forcing parents to purchase overpriced books and uniforms from specific outlets.
Bhopal District Education Officer, NK Ahirwar, stated that schools cannot compel parents to buy books from designated stores. Violators of this rule will face legal action. He emphasized that the draft guidelines, once approved by the collector, will be implemented to create a fairer system for parents.
Existing Legal Framework
To combat rising costs of books and uniforms, the Madhya Pradesh government had earlier introduced the Madhya Pradesh Private School (Fee and Related Matters Regulation) Act, 2017, followed by the Rules of 2020. These regulations aimed to prevent unjustified annual price hikes by private schools.
However, despite these directives, compliance among schools has remained low. Only a small percentage of institutions adhere to the rules, leaving many parents burdened by high costs.
Recent Enforcement Efforts
In April, enforcement authorities conducted a raid at two bookstores in MP Nagar—Books and Books and Sneha Book Center. These shops were found selling uniforms and textbooks associated with various private schools, highlighting the persistent issue of exclusive arrangements between schools and vendors.
Moving Toward Transparency
The proposed guidelines aim to address the root causes of these problems and create a transparent system that prioritizes the interests of parents and students. By allowing books and uniforms to be sold across multiple retailers and preventing exclusive purchase arrangements, the new rules could bring significant relief to families seeking affordable educational resources.
With the draft awaiting final approval, parents and stakeholders are hopeful for effective implementation that ensures equitable access to essential school supplies in Bhopal.
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