HJS appeals to the Education Minister seeking action against schools compelling parents to buy academic materials from fixed vendors
Sawantwadi, Maharashtra – It has been observed that school managements compel parents and students to buy academic materials from fixed vendors at the beginning of every new academic year. As a part of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s (HJS) Surajya Abhiyan or Good Governance Mission, the Samiti has appealed to Deepak Kesarkar, the School Education Minister that legal action be taken against any institution that forces parents to buy any material from their fixed vendors. Also a helpline should be started where parents can directly complain about such incidents and the helpline number should be publicised on school notice boards as well as on the Education Department Website. HJS seekers; Shri. Shankar Nikam, Shri. Shivram Desai and Shri. Jeevan Kesarkar handed this petition to Deepak Kesarkar, School Education Minister at his residence in Sawantwadi. The Minister assured the HJS seekers that he shall look into the matter and do the needful.
The petition includes the following points :
1. A Circular issued by the District Magistrate Office of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar stated, it has been observed that school managements compel parents to buy academic materials, notebooks, books and uniform from fixed vendors. This matter is extremely serious as well as illegal. Hence legal action shall be taken against any school management found to be indulging in such practices.
2. At the beginning of the new academic year, students are in a haste to seek admission and purchase all academic materials required for the year. Under the circumstances, parents expect that school managements shall provide necessary guidance to the students. However, the reality turns out to be quite contrary to this.
3. Orders and directives, similar to the one issued by the District Magistrate Office of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, should be issued everywhere. Any such malpractice if found, the Education Officer of the District as well as its District Magistrate Office should conduct a regular enquiry and take legal action against the school concerned. Its approval should be cancelled.
4. These directives should be prominently displayed on the school notice board so parents come to know about them and social awareness should also be generated regarding the same.