CBSE Allows Schools To Sell NCERT Books, Amends Earlier Order
According to a directive passed by the Delhi High Court in April this year, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was asked to make sure that no schools affiliated to the educational body would carry out any “commercial activities” on campus. Activities like selling of books, stationery, uniforms, etc., were prohibited on campus premises and had to be strictly complied with.
In its circular to all affiliated schools, the CBSE had said: “The Board, time and again, has issued advisories to all its affiliated schools not to indulge in commercial activities by way of selling of textbooks, notebooks, stationery items, uniforms. The Board has taken a serious view of the above violations. Hence, once again your attention is drawn that educational institutions are not commercial establishments and their sole purpose is to provide quality education. Therefore, the schools are directed to desist from the unhealthy practice of coercing parents to buy textbooks, notebooks, stationary, uniforms, shoes, schoolbags, etc. from within the premise or from selected vendors only.”
However, the board has now allowed schools to run shops to facilitate the sale of NCERT books, on campus premises.
A fresh circular issued to schools said, “Schools are allowed to place indent for the purchase of NCERT books directly through its website for distribution among their students and for this purpose, a tuck shop may be opened inside the premises of the schools.”
“Stationery and other material required by students are also allowed to be sold from this tuck shop. The earlier circular stands amended.”
