Pune, Maharashtra – The Pune Zilla Parishad Education Department has issued a strong warning to English-medium private schools across the region to stop the practice of mandating the purchase of uniforms and textbooks from specific internal vendors. Primary Education Officer Sanjay Naikwade stated that any institution found continuing this practice would face a formal recommendation for the cancellation of its recognition. This directive comes in response to a surge in complaints from parents alleging that schools are charging excessive prices for these materials, which are often available at much lower prices in the open market.
Under current state regulations, including the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act, schools are permitted a maximum fee hike of 15% once every two years. However, reports indicate that several institutions have been raising fees beyond this threshold without the required consent from the Parent-Teachers Association. Officials have clarified that any violation of these fee-capping rules or the coercion of parents into buying school-specific merchandise is a breach of the Right to Education Act and existing government resolutions dating back to 2004.
Surajya Abhiyan’s campaign against this practice
The campaign to stop schools from forcing such purchases is also being carried out by the Surajya Abhiyan. The Abhiyan has submitted formal requests to education officers in over thirteen districts, including Jalgaon, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Akola, Satara, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. In response, many officials have promised quick action, and some have already released official notices to stop the practice. In Beed district, the campaign has gained extra strength from local lawyers who are working to ensure that schools follow the law.