The Nagpur district education office on Monday evening directed all secondary and higher secondary schools across various boards and mediums to use only NCERT or SCERT textbooks, following complaints from parents regarding the use of expensive books published by private publishers.
The directive stated that several parents had alleged schools were compelling students to purchase books from selected private publishers, increasing the financial burden on families.
However, the order triggered sharp criticism from school associations, particularly the Unaided Schools Forum (USF), a pan-Maharashtra body representing several prominent private schools. USF honorary secretary SC Kedia argued that there is no legal restriction in India on the use of books published by private publishers.
“Schools are required to use books that are aligned with the curriculum approved by the government. There is no ban on private publishers’ books,” Kedia said.
Questioning the authority of the district education office to issue such instructions, Kedia said education boards primarily function as examination-conducting bodies. “Even CBSE cannot force schools to use specific books because its primary responsibility is to conduct board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 and issue certificates,” he added.
The letter issued by the education officer (secondary) referred to a government resolution dated June 11, 2004, along with a joint circular issued by the director of education on April 18. These directives prohibit schools from forcing students to buy uniforms or educational material from specific shops or vendors.
The education department noted that despite existing rules, complaints were still being received that some schools and principals were pressuring students to purchase books from selected private publishers without officially listing them in the prescribed book list.
Meanwhile, some school principals pointed out practical difficulties in relying solely on NCERT textbooks. One principal cited the recent overhaul of the Class 9 curriculum, saying schools struggled to begin teaching because textbooks were unavailable even after the academic session started in April.
“We received only digital versions later, and teachers had to manage classes without physical textbooks initially,” the principal said.
The district education office warned that strict action, including cancellation of No Objection Certificates (NOC), could be initiated against schools found forcing students to buy books from particular private publishers.
Despite the warning, school associations maintained that the directive was an overreach and claimed the order lacked proper understanding of ground realities and academic flexibility required by schools.
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