Relief for Parents: Himachal Bans Private Schools from Forcing Book and Uniform Purchases
Parents across Himachal Pradesh can breathe a sigh of relief. The School Education Department has stepped in to stop private schools from pressuring families to buy books, notebooks, and uniforms from specific shops—often at inflated prices.
The move follows a wave of complaints from parents who felt trapped by these practices. Taking a firm stance, the department has invoked the Private Educational Institutions Act, 1997, warning schools that violations could even lead to cancellation of their No Objection Certificate (NOC).
To ensure transparency, schools must now hold Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings before every academic session, where issues like compulsory purchases will be openly discussed. Decisions taken in these meetings must be displayed on school notice boards and official websites, preventing schools from imposing unilateral rules.
The directive makes it clear: private schools cannot sell books themselves, nor can they tie admissions to purchases from designated shops. Any complaint or breach will invite strict action.
For parents, this is more than just a policy change—it’s a step toward fairness and freedom of choice in their children’s education.
