Private schools must use NCERT books, orders Edu Directorate

Tribune News Service

Ambala, May 10

While parents have hailed a recent order issued by the Directorate, School Education, Haryana, asking private schools to ensure that only NCERT books are used, the private schools have decided to challenge the order in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Ajay Gupta, president, Parents Welfare Association, Ambala, said, “Several schools recommend particular books, available at selected shops, to students that were being sold at exorbitant rates due to the nexus between the school authorities and private publishers. We welcome the order issued by the directorate and the department should implement the orders strictly.”

Objecting to the order, Saurabh Kapoor, president, Integrated Private School Welfare Society, said “It is unrealistic to recommend NCERT books only. Quality of the content and low availability of NCERT books are the prime reason behind the private schools using books of private publishers. The books are selected by the principals on the basis of their experience and the content is based on NCERT. The Education Department can’t force the schools to use NCERT books only. The schools should have the liberty to choose the books and maintain the quality of education.”

Kulbhushan Sharma, president, Federation of Private Schools’ Welfare Association, said, “The government can formulate any policy and fix the rates of books but it shouldn’t stop the schools from selecting good quality books. Moreover, the academic session has already started and the booksellers have already purchased the books. The orders have come too late. Implementation of such orders will cause heavy loss to them. The association has decided to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the orders.”

Deputy District Education Officer, Ambala, Sudhir Kalra, however, said, “There used to be complaints against private schools as they recommend expensive books of private publishers. The government had last year made an amendment in rule 10 of the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003 as well in this context. As per the directions received, the private schools have to recommend NCERT books. The department will ask the private schools to comply with the orders strictly.”