Education is considered very important in all countries. While Indian culture is considered to be the oldest, school education is given a lot of importance in India. The government is taking very strict and big steps regarding education. These include decisions like education quality and getting rid of expensive books.
To get rid of expensive books, the government has made NCERT books mandatory. But despite this, in some private Indian schools, children are forced to buy expensive books.
In such a situation, the family members are forced to loosen their pockets. In this article, we will know why private schools give more importance to expensive books, which becomes a hindrance for the children of poor families in the field of education.
Indian schools often require students to buy expensive books due to several reasons, including:
Tie-ups with Private Publishers
Many private schools collaborate with specific publishers who supply customized textbooks. These books are often more expensive than NCERT or state board books. Schools sometimes receive commissions from publishers, creating a financial incentive to push costly books over government-prescribed ones.
Deviation from NCERT Books
Despite government guidelines recommending NCERT books for CBSE schools, many private institutions mandate additional or alternative books from private publishers. These books may have extra exercises, colorful pages, and enhanced graphics, increasing their price.
Frequent Syllabus Changes
Publishers often revise books annually, making it difficult for students to reuse books from previous years. This forces parents to buy new editions every academic session.
Bundled Book Sets
Many schools insist on purchasing an entire set of books, including supplementary materials like workbooks, guides, and practice papers, which significantly add to the cost. Parents rarely have the option to buy only essential books.
Limited Availability in the Open Market
Schools sometimes collaborate with specific vendors or sell books exclusively through their premises, preventing parents from purchasing books at lower prices elsewhere. This monopolization drives up costs.
Branding & Customization
Some schools print their name and logo on books and notebooks, making them unique to that institution. This customization adds to production costs and eliminates the possibility of buying second-hand books.
Possible Solutions
Strict enforcement of NCERT books in CBSE-affiliated schools.
Allowing parents to choose books from different vendors.
Encouraging book reuse or rental systems to reduce costs.
Raising awareness among parents about government guidelines on school books.
The rising cost of school books is a major concern for Indian parents. Stricter regulations and transparency in the education system can help ensure affordability and accessibility for all students.
Delhi Schools Closed? Go Hybrid Amid GRAP III Curbs: Students Confused Over Online & Offline Classes