Hyderabad Schools Appeal to Education Department Over Annual Book Stall Closures
In Hyderabad, school managements have formally requested the director of school education to intervene and prevent the annual closure of book stalls on campus premises. This plea comes as hundreds of schools face forced shutdowns of their book counters each year, a recurring issue that disrupts operations and causes inconvenience.
No-Profit Basis and Legal Grounds
The Telangana Recognised School Management Association (TRSMA), representing approximately 10,000 private schools, has submitted a representation to the education department. They argue that government orders and high court directions permit schools to operate book stalls on a no-profit, no-loss basis. This arrangement is intended to provide convenience for parents by offering textbooks and materials directly on campus.
"Certain student and community organisations have recently been lodging complaints against some private schools, alleging that the sale of textbooks within school premises is not permissible. Based on such complaints, some field-level officials have directed schools to discontinue their book counters," stated the TRSMA representation.
Wasted Time and Procedural Hassles
School authorities express frustration over the repetitive nature of this problem. Every year, they are compelled to approach officials to reopen sealed counters, consuming valuable time for both management and parents. S Madhusudhan Reddy, a TRSMA member who runs a school in Hyderabad, emphasized that rules require schools to notify three book stalls and allow parents the freedom to choose where to purchase.
"We can run bookstores at schools, for the convenience of parents, but cannot force them to buy only from us. We are not asking the government to turn a blind eye; if any management is violating norms, they can initiate action. But they shouldn't be asking us to close book shops on campus just because someone is complaining without knowing the rules," Reddy explained.
Parental Concerns Over Pricing
While schools defend their right to operate book stalls, parents raise significant concerns about pricing practices. Many allege that schools sell books and materials at exorbitant rates, effectively forcing families to pay inflated prices. R Rajesh, a parent with a daughter in a private school in Ameerpet, highlighted the financial burden.
"Managements conveniently claim that they are not making buying books from schools mandatory. But, at the ground level, the situation is different. We are forced to pay almost double for notebooks when compared with the market price. The same goes for other material as well," Rajesh stated.
Official Stance and Norm Enforcement
Officials from the school education department maintain that action is only taken when managements violate established norms. They assert that complaints are investigated, and closures are enforced based on evidence of non-compliance, rather than arbitrary decisions. This stance aims to balance regulatory oversight with the operational needs of schools.
The ongoing dispute underscores a broader tension between school autonomy and consumer protection in Hyderabad's educational landscape. As both sides present their arguments, the resolution of this issue will likely impact how book sales are managed in schools across Telangana, potentially setting a precedent for future interactions between educational institutions, parents, and regulatory bodies.
