Continues to compel parents to buy books from particular shops @Rs 3500-Rs 4000
By: Ahmad Shabir
Anantnag: The repeated directions by the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK) has failed to put an end to what parents called as ‘loot’, saying that they are being compelled to purchase books and uniform for their wards at particular book sellers.
The parents alleged that the school administration in nexus with the book sellers has been asking them to purchase books and uniforms from the particular shops.
Though many schools are selling these books to the parents from their own campuses, majority of them have kept the books available at specific shops, leaving the parents with no option of bargaining in the market.
This happens despite the authorities every year coming up with the directives, asking the private schools to avoid the practice of profiteering and keep the books for students available in the market.
Scores of parents Precious Kashmir spoke to alleged that the private schools are resorting to ‘open loot’ in nexus with the publishers and booksellers and authorities ironically are allowing them to do so.
A parent, Abdul Rashid from Anantnag, whose two kids are studying in a reputed private school, said that he had to buy two sets of books for his primary standard kids against Rs 7500.
“Each set of at least 12 to 13 books cost around Rs 3500 to Rs 4000. When I requested the shopkeeper for discount, he clearly refused, saying ‘Financial situation for last two years is very grim and there is no possibility of discount’,” Rashid quoted the bookshop owner as telling him.
Another parent,Tariq Ahmad said that he had to purchase two sets of books (five books in each set) for his two kids, one in 3rd standard and another in 6th at the cost of Rs 11000.
“Since the school my children are studying in have kept the books available at a particular shop. I was shocked to know see the cost but what I was left with no option but to purchase them,” Ahmad said.
What surprises Ahmad more is that each set of books was packed with no MRP mentioned on any book. “This is open loot. Government must come to the rescue of parents,” he said.
The profiteering in the name of education has triggered a debate on social media for last several days.
While many shared their experience of how they were forced to buy books for their kids at exorbitant rates from particular bookshops, others questioned the role of authorities supposed to stop these private schools from indulging in loot.
“These private schools are facing no competition from the government sector and hence they go to any extent. I saw at booksellers shop that a school recommends 14 books for grade second which cost 4200 rupees. I was shocked to see it. Government education policy speaks of foundational litracy and numeracy only upto grade 2 while the school bogs this child down with the weight of books and parents with the money. A bookseller offers 30 percent discount to schools and no discount to parents. This is loot everywhere in broad day light,” wrote a facebook users , Dar Khurshid.
Another Facebook user commented, “We too have bought a kit of six books which costs rupees 5400 for class 7th.”
“This is business more than education,” wrote another user, Shiekh Rafiq Ahmad.
Pertinently, Directorate of School Education Kashmir issued a circular warning the private schools with de-recognition over profiteering in the sale of books at specific shops.
However, many parents termed the government circular as nothing more than a formality.
Meanwhile, Precious Kashmir tried to contact Director School Education, Kashmir, Tasaduq Hussain many a times, but he didn’t get materialized for the comments.
However, another top officer posted at DSEK said that they are receiving a lot of telephonic complaints against the private schools from all the districts. “But no one is ready to come forward with written application in his name,” the officer said.
