Patna: Patna district administration has issued a sweeping order aimed at curbing what it describes as arbitrary and illegal practices by private schools in the sale of uniforms, books and stationery, following complaints that parents were being coerced into buying these items from selected vendors at inflated prices.
Officials said investigations had revealed collusion between school managements and uniform or stationery sellers, resulting in books, shoes and uniforms being sold at several times the prevailing market rate. The burden, they noted, fell disproportionately on poor and middle-class families, fuelling widespread resentment.
Invoking powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the district administration has prohibited all private school operators, principals and management committees from directing or pressuring parents to purchase uniforms, books, shoes or stationery from any specific shop. Parents are now free to procure these items from the open market at prices of their choosing. Any direct or indirect pressure by schools will be treated as a violation of the order.
To improve transparency, the administration has also mandated that private schools publicly display a complete list of prescribed books, uniforms and other essential materials on their websites and on notice boards within school premises by a stipulated date.
In a move welcomed by parent groups, schools have further been instructed not to change uniform designs for at least three years once finalised, a measure intended to prevent families from being forced into frequent, costly replacements.
The order has come into force with immediate effect and will remain applicable across the district for a specified period, with officials indicating it could be extended if required. Compliance will be monitored through regular checks and surprise inspections.
Authorities have warned that violations will invite strict action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which provides for both fines and imprisonment. Responsibility will rest not only with school principals and directors but also with all members of the management committee.
The decision has been met with relief among parents, many of whom say it addresses long-standing exploitation in the name of education. Education experts say that if enforced rigorously, the order could mark a significant step towards greater accountability and fairness in Bihar’s private school system.
