Over the issue of delay in uploading the details of books on private schools website, Ranchi DC Manoj Kumar has asked District Superintendent of Education (DSE) to issue notices to all schools immediately asking them to either upload the details as discussed on its official websites or else put the lists on the school notice boards for parents’ convenience.

With the arrival of admission season, where on one hand parents seems restive while on the other part, all private schools have started their game yet again of making hefty profits through books, school uniforms sale. After receiving complaints from the parents association over this matter, the district administration has come into action.

Notably, regardless of several reminders sent in the past to private school managements regarding uploading the book-list details on or before January 31, merely 10 to 12 private cradles so far have fulfilled their responsibilities. Though a week ago DSE Ranchi had assured prompt action on this but nothing has been done regarding it so far.

When enquired about the prime reason from Ranchi DC over the laid-back approach of school managements on uploading details, Kumar said, “As per the inputs received from DSE office, several schools do not have their websites which is one reason for the delay. looking at the situation, DSE has been ordered to send notices to all private schools for making alternate arrangements. From February 5, DSE will be sending the notices to the concerned schools.”

In December 2017, the district administration had asked the school principals to follow the guidelines consistently over sale of stationery items. As per the rule, no school authorities will be given permission to sale books on their campus premises. Also, the norms suggest that parents must not be compelled to purchase books or uniform from a particular shop.

Besides this, school managements must avoid adding repetitive grammar books, dictionaries in the book list that incurs sufficient monetary loss. Also, during the meeting, emphasis was given on developing online system for receiving feedback while initiating online leave management and grievance redressal system.

To curb the arbitrariness of private cradles, the district administration is gearing up to conduct a meeting with school heads soon. “We are again going to review the status of each private school in mid February. All the 32 points will be considered in the compliance meeting that was taken up on December 12, 2017,” Kumar added.

The meeting will cover four core issues which include fees hike, maintenance of school buses, monopoly of schools in sale of books and uniforms including admission of Below Poverty line (BPl) in accordance to the prescribed guidelines.

“We are trying to bring transparency at different levels. Besides focusing on regular issues, our major focus will be on enrollment of Below Poverty line (BPl) children at the private schools. As per the previous year’s record, over 60 percent enrollment of BPl students at private schools was ensured, attempts will be made to increase the percentage,” Kumar further added.