Under the directives of Deputy commissioner Vijaya Jadhav, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Chas, Pranjal Dhanda chaired a meeting with representatives of private schools and the district parents' association. The meeting, attended by District education officer (DEO) Jagarnath Lohra and District superintendent of education (DSE) Atul Chaubey, focused on ensuring compliance with CBSE/ICSE/RTE and state government guidelines. Officials reviewed various concerns raised by parents regarding school management practices.
Emphasizing that schools must function as educational institutions, not profit-making entities, officials directed schools to ensure transparency in their operations. Any fee hikes must be approved by a nine-member committee comprising school representatives and parents. Schools were also instructed to upload book lists on their websites and ensure availability in 10-15 stores, prioritizing NCERT books. Parents cannot be forced to buy books from a single vendor or change uniforms annually.
To improve communication, schools must conduct monthly parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) to address concerns. Additionally, they must publicly display teacher contact details on their websites and within school premises. The administration also strictly ordered schools to stop imposing fines on students for absenteeism.
The SDO , DEO and DSE warned that strict action would be taken against schools violating these directives. The meeting also covered other critical issues related to school management, ensuring that schools prioritize students' education and welfare over financial gains.
Overall Bokaro administration has taken a firm stand to ensure that the city maintains its reputation as an educational hub while balancing the interests of parents and schools. SDO DEO and DSE made it clear that schools must function as educational institutions, not profit-making entities, prioritizing students' education and welfare over financial gains. Schools have been directed to follow fair fee structures, avoid compulsory purchases, and ensure transparency in their operations.
At the same time, the administration acknowledged the role of private schools in delivering quality education and urged them to work collaboratively with parents.
