Jamshedpur: The District Education Department inspected a public school in Bistupur on Thursday following complaints regarding the commercial sale of books and copies on the school campus. Parents alleged that the school was forcing them to purchase stationery and textbooks exclusively from the premises.
Findings of the Inspection
A two-member team conducted the raid and discovered a large stockpile of books and copies stored within the school building. Investigations revealed that the school management had instructed parents to visit the campus between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM specifically for these purchases.
Key points clarified by the inspection team:
- Legal Stance: While schools may stock books, they cannot legally compel parents to buy books, uniforms, or stationery from the campus or specific vendors.
- Information Demand: The department has ordered the school to provide a written explanation of all changes made to textbooks and chapters over the last three years.
- Upcoming Guidelines: The Education Department confirmed that it will soon issue a formal advisory to all schools regarding these practices.
