Punjab: New rules for private schools will reduce the burden on parents

Punjab: Parents have got a big relief with the decision of School Education Minister Harjot Bains to closely monitor private schools in the state for arbitrary practices related to textbooks, uniforms and school fees. Issuing strict directions, the state government has said that schools cannot change uniforms and textbooks every year, which will increase the financial burden on parents. The guidelines also state that instead of restricting parents to a limited list of book and uniform vendors, schools should provide a variety of options from which parents can buy the items at competitive rates. Parents should also have the option of getting the uniform stitched from anywhere within a reasonable price range and schools can also provide the required logo to be put on the shirt or blazer. Besides, schools have been directed to limit the annual fee hike to only 8 per cent. Schools will have to inform the government about any fee hike and also give reasons for it. The minister said that they will not let education become a business. Bains has also empowered Deputy Commissioners to settle any complaint of violation submitted by parents. The move has evoked sharp reactions from various quarters. Parents have expressed concern that the textbooks suggested by schools are too expensive. “A set of five NCERT books for Class VIII costs less than Rs 400, while the books from private publishers suggested by the school for the same syllabus cost around Rs 5,000. The issue is still unresolved and needs to be addressed,” said Pankaj Mehta, a parent. “None of the schools have a book bank system where students moving to higher classes can donate their old books, which can later be given to others for free or at a nominal price. If this system becomes prevalent, the financial burden on parents will be reduced significantly,” he said. Parents also pointed out that the option of getting the uniforms stitched was not available as the designs were made elaborate and specific. They said schools did not offer the option of buying logos separately. “My child has to wear a T-shirt with a particular contrast pattern, pasting and embroidery two days a week. There is no way to get it stitched anywhere else. If the government is getting strict, school authorities are trying other ways,” said a parent whose child studies in an ICSE-affiliated school.

Rajeev Paliwal, principal of Innocent Hearts School, said, “We fully follow the recommendations of the Justice Amar Dutt Fee Regulatory Committee, which have been sent to us by the government. We increase the fees by only 8 per cent annually and inform the government through the district education office. We also give parents a list of 20-25 vendors from whom they can buy school books through our portal.” Dr Narottam Singh, president of State Public School and vice-president of CBSE Affiliated Schools Association (CASO), said, “Jalandhar has the largest book market in the region, so parents of local school students can easily buy books at competitive rates. We have to increase the fees every year as expenses and teachers’ salaries also increase every year. 98 per cent of our parents are satisfied and if even 1-2 per cent are not satisfied, the government should not interfere unless the matter is very serious. If the government bans us, it should treat private schools the same way it treats government schools. The achievements of our students should also be highlighted by the deputy commissioner and the state government, as it does for government schools.”