Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has warned schools affiliated to it against selling of books and uniforms. In its advisory, it has told the schools that educational institutions are not commercial establishments and sale of books, uniforms and stationery by them is a violation of norms. It came following complaints from parents that schools are indulging in commercial activities by way of selling books and uniforms within the school premises or through selected vendors.
The board has taken a serious view of the complaints and directed the schools to desist from the unhealthy practice of coercing parents to buy text books, note books, stationary, uniforms, shoes and school bags.
The CBSE norms mandate that schools are run as community service and not as a business establishment. The CBSE has also reiterated its directive to schools to stick to books published by the NCERT. Following complaints about shortage of NCERT books, the CBSE had asked schools to raise online indent for NCERT textbooks.
