In Bhopal, a significant conflict over educational materials has reached a boiling point. The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) has formally escalated its grievance to higher authorities, alleging that private schools in Madhya Pradesh continue to defy government mandates requiring the use of affordable NCERT textbooks.
Government Directives Meet Persistent Resistance
For over a year, the Madhya Pradesh government, in alignment with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has reinforced clear orders. These directives mandate that schools must prescribe only NCERT books for students from classes 1 through 12. The primary goals are to lessen the financial load on families and to standardize education following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework.
As recently as March 2025, the Joint Director of Public Instruction issued explicit instructions. District Education Officers (DEOs) were directed to ensure strict enforcement of this rule, building upon announcements made in previous years.
Private Schools' Costly Defiance
Despite these repeated orders, many private institutions affiliated with the CBSE have not complied. The PTA's complaint highlights that these schools persistently favor textbooks from private publishers. These books can cost up to ten times more than their NCERT equivalents.
Parents report several troubling practices. Schools list these expensive private books in their official prospectuses. They also compel parents to buy materials from specific vendors, creating a monopoly. In some instances, teachers use only sections of these costly books but demand payment for the entire set. The promise of digital alternatives has provided no real relief, exacerbating the economic strain on households already dealing with rising costs.
Escalation and Excuses from Schools
Frustrated by the lack of action, the MP Parents Association has taken complaints directly to district collectors and DEOs. They are demanding rigorous inspections and accountability. However, as of April 2025, the resistance from private schools remains firm.
Schools, including several in Bhopal, have dismissed the mandates with various justifications. Some principals argue that NCERT books lack the necessary challenge or depth, particularly for subjects like English. Others claim that the CBSE only requires syllabus alignment, not the exclusive use of NCERT publications—a interpretation directly contradicted by the state government's specific orders.
A Call for Enforcement and Relief
The standoff underscores a wider tension between policy intent and ground-level implementation in India's education sector. While authorities aim to reduce inequality and financial burden through standardized materials, private schools cite academic freedom and quality. The PTA's formal complaint represents a critical test of the government's resolve to enforce its NEP 2020 guidelines and provide tangible economic relief to parents across Madhya Pradesh.
