Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 22: As the new school session approaches, private schools in the city are once again raking in huge profits through the sale of books and uniforms. While some smaller schools earn between Rs 5 to Rs 7 lakh from these sales, bigger, well-known schools pocket commissions ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh annually from publishers.
The method of commission has shifted recently, with publishers now offering schools a cut in exchange for selling old books. This change has further intensified the business model, making it a lucrative revenue stream for private institutions. It is reported that schools are earning between Rs 10-12 crore annually through commissions on books alone.
While schools deny directly profiting from the book sales, the system remains in place. Schools that do not sell books directly provide parents with a list of designated shops. Parents then have to buy books from these stores, often for higher prices. Shopkeepers even provide schools with lists of which children have purchased their books.
In addition to books, the sale of shoes and uniforms also contributes to the financial windfall. However, no one has the courage to intervene in this thriving business. From administrative bodies to education department officials, everyone seems to turn a blind eye. Parents, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, find themselves helpless, unable to challenge the system.
“The issue has been raised multiple times, but no one has been able to provide a written complaint,” said Dr. Umesh, President of the Jamshedpur Abhibhavak Sangh (Parents Association). “Schools force parents to buy books at 20% higher rates and they keep taking advantage of this loophole.”
The situation is becoming more burdensome with changes in curriculum under the new National Education Policy. Many books for classes 3, 5, 7 and 8 have been altered, further pushing the financial strain on parents.
Anchal Sharma, a local resident, commented, “Private schools are increasing fees and imposing unnecessary costs, exploiting parents’ helplessness during admissions. They act without any oversight, making it impossible for parents to keep up.”
With growing concerns over the financial impact, parents like Tullika, who earns Rs 40,000 per month and has two children, find themselves struggling to set aside Rs 5,000 every month for their children’s education.
As the new academic year kicks off, parents continue to bear the brunt of escalating education costs, with private schools growing richer from the very system meant to provide quality education.
This post was originally published on here
