Schools can't sell books forcibly to students

Amberpet: Parents cannot be compelled to buy textbooks from school tuck shops, but what if a few miscreants barge into a school and insist on closing the shop and seize textbooks? This is exactly what a group tried in a school here on Friday.

Speaking to The Hans India, S Madhusudhan, the president of Hyderabad District Recognised Schools Management Association, says, "The verdict is clear. According to a High Court order passed in 2016, schools have the right to sell textbooks but cannot force parents. Also, school managements need to display the list of books and price on the notice board." He adds, "There is awareness among people on the issue and parents very well know the rules."

It has been the practice of several schools in the city to set up tuck shops. The National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) has allowed schools to set up shops on their premises.

K V Brahmam, Director of Brahmam Talent High School, Vengalrao Nagar, says, "Parents too want to buy books at one place and at a time. There are several titles that are released in a phased manner and it becomes difficult to keep making rounds of book shops. Parents have the liberty to choose where they want to buy books."

A senior teacher of Pragathi Vidyaniketan High School, Amberpet, says, "Almost all the schools sell the books at a discounted price and there is hardly any margin in government books. Many a time, several books are unsold."

Madhavi, a parent says, "I purchased books for my son who is studying in Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sainikpuri, from their shop after enquiring about the price in the market. It was much less than at other shops."

However, a few parents are not so happy with the arrangement. Rakesh, a parent, said, "My son studies in a private school in Warasiguda. The school management insists that we buy the books and uniform. Parents should not be forced."