Raising strong concerns over the growing commercialisation of educational institutions, the Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC), representing nearly 13 lakh traders across Vidarbha, has demanded a complete ban on the sale of stationery, uniforms and other educational materials by schools.
A delegation of the Chamber recently submitted a memorandum to Nagpur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad, urging the administration to intervene and protect the interests of stationery traders, school uniform sellers and small educational material vendors allegedly affected by the increasing practice of schools forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms, shoes and stationery either directly from school premises or from authorised vendors.
The delegation was led by NVCC President Farooq Akbani and included Chamber IPP Arjundas Ahuja, Vice Presidents Swapnil Ahirkar and Umesh Patel, Secretary CA Hemant Sarda, Treasurer Sachin Puniyani, and members Sanjay Gupta, Sunil Adamne and Rakesh Ahuja.
Speaking on the issue, Farooq Akbani alleged that many private schools have been pressuring parents and students for years to buy educational materials and uniforms only from selected outlets linked to schools.
“This practice has badly affected independent stationery traders and educational material sellers. Many shopkeepers are facing financial difficulties and some are on the verge of shutting down their businesses. For thousands of families, stationery sales are their only source of income,” Akbani said.
Chamber IPP Arjundas Ahuja said stationery traders are already struggling due to increasing digitalisation in education, which has reduced the demand for books and notebooks as students shift towards online learning platforms and digital study material.
“On top of this, schools follow different syllabi and allegedly compel parents to buy books and stationery only from authorised vendors. Traders without school tie-ups are suffering heavy losses,” Ahuja said.
He added that school uniform sellers, shoe vendors and other suppliers linked to the education sector have also been severely impacted.
The Chamber claimed that despite submitting several representations to the government and administration earlier, no concrete action has been taken so far.
NVCC Secretary CA Hemant Sarda said educational institutions should focus only on education instead of commercial activities.
“The role of schools and colleges is to impart education, while trading activities should remain with businessmen. The government should issue strict directives prohibiting schools from selling stationery and other educational materials,” Sarda said.
The Chamber also demanded uniformity in school syllabi across government and private institutions and sought strict regulations to stop schools from forcing parents to buy books, uniforms, shoes and stationery from designated vendors.
According to NVCC, such measures would create fair business opportunities for traders associated with educational supplies and reduce the financial burden on parents.
District Collector Kumar Ashirwad reportedly assured the delegation that the matter would be examined seriously and appropriate action would be considered.The information was shared through a press release issued by NVCC Secretary CA Hemant Sarda.
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