The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a directive to education authorities across the state, instructing them to ensure that schools do not compel parents to purchase books from private publishers or designated vendors, in violation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This action follows an intervention by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which acted on a complaint filed by Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, president of the India Wide Parents Association and a child rights activist. The NHRC sought reports from both the Union Education Ministry and the state government regarding allegations of coercive textbook sales by private schools.
NHRC's Intervention and Observations
The NHRC took cognisance of the complaint, which alleged that some CBSE-affiliated private schools in Uttar Pradesh were forcing parents to purchase costly books, workbooks, and supplementary materials from specific sellers. The commission issued notices to the Union Education Ministry and the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking an action-taken report within four weeks. In its order, the NHRC observed that schools were allegedly operating what the report described as a "book mafia", involving "a nexus between school managements, designated vendors and private publishers, that compels parents to purchase costly, non-NCERT books, workbooks and supplementary materials at inflated prices." The commission further stated, "The Commission is, prima facie, of the view that the practices disclosed amount to a violation of Section 29 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009."
State Government's Response
Following the NHRC intervention, Uttar Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary of Secondary Education issued directions to the Director of Secondary Education and District Education Officers to ensure that no school forces parents to purchase books published by private publishers or from any particular vendor. Officials have also been instructed to take necessary action wherever such complaints are received. The NHRC further sought details on whether Section 29 of the RTE Act is being implemented in the state, whether audits of school booklists have been conducted, and whether the National School Bag Policy, 2020, is being enforced.
Measures Taken by the State
The Uttar Pradesh government stated that awareness drives and textbook availability campaigns had already been conducted across districts, and instructions were in place to prevent the sale and promotion of unauthorised private guides and supplementary books. District authorities have been directed to investigate complaints promptly and ensure compliance with prescribed textbook norms. The state government's proactive measures aim to curb the alleged exploitation of parents and uphold the provisions of the RTE Act.
