Chandigarh Education Department Revises Directives for Private Schools on Textbook and Uniform Lists
The District Education Officer (DEO) of Chandigarh has issued a revised circular to private unaided recognized schools, formally superseding the previous day's order and tightening language regarding coercion and parental choice in purchasing textbooks and uniforms. This move aims to address complaints about delays in list publication and alleged pressure on parents to buy from selected vendors.
Key Mandates for Schools
The fresh order, released "in supersession" of the February 26 circular, continues to require schools to upload complete, class-wise lists of prescribed textbooks—including title, author, and publisher—along with uniform details on the homepage of their official websites within three days. Additionally, these lists must be prominently displayed on school notice boards to ensure accessibility for parents.
Enhanced Focus on Purchase Practices
While the broad framework remains unchanged from the earlier circular, which directed schools to publish lists online, display them on notice boards, avoid nominating specific vendors, ensure item availability through multiple sellers, and prohibit on-campus sales, the revised version significantly sharpens the clause related to purchase practices.
The revised circular reiterates that schools shall not, verbally or in writing, direct parents to purchase books or uniforms from any specific shop or vendor. Schools are again instructed to ensure open availability of prescribed items across multiple vendors to prevent artificial shortages, queues, or monopolistic practices.
Stricter Prohibition on Coercion
The most notable modification concerns on-campus sales. Instead of merely prohibiting the sale of books and uniforms on school premises, the revised order explicitly states that schools are "strictly prohibited from coercing or compelling parents" to purchase textbooks, stationery, or uniforms from within the school premises. It adds that parents shall have the freedom to purchase prescribed items from any vendor of their choice in the open market.
Enforcement and Compliance
The directions emphasize that they must be followed "in letter and spirit," with a warning that any verified complaint from parents regarding forced purchases due to delayed publication of lists will be taken seriously. This revision appears aimed at removing ambiguity and reinforcing parental choice ahead of the 2026–27 academic session.
Background and Implementation
The move comes amid complaints received by the education department over delays in publishing textbook and uniform lists and alleged pressure on parents to purchase from selected vendors. A copy of the circular has been forwarded to the director of school education in the Chandigarh administration for information.
Summary of Instructions
- Schools must upload class-wise textbook lists—with title, author, and publisher—and uniform details on their websites within three days.
- The same lists must also be displayed prominently on school notice boards for parent access.
- Revised circular sharpens language on purchase practices, reiterating that schools cannot verbally or in writing direct parents to buy from specific vendors.
- Schools told to ensure books and uniforms are available through multiple sellers to prevent shortages, queues, or monopolistic practices.
- New order explicitly states schools are "strictly prohibited from coercing or compelling parents" to buy textbooks, stationery, or uniforms from within the campus.
- Adds that parents must have complete freedom to purchase from any vendor of their choice in the open market.
- Warns that verified complaints about forced purchases due to delayed list publication will be taken seriously.
