Parents forced to buy uniforms, books too

Apart from the high fees and transport charges, parents are being forced to buy books, uniforms and bags from the schools. Parents say these are not cheaper at schools than what is available in the market.

Though most parents have bought books from schools, what with the academic year having started in March, a few parents are still waiting as the schools have to replenish their stock. Parents are not allowed to buy the books from anywhere else.

Parents allege that multiple types of school uniforms are being introduced every other year so that parents have to buy more sets. School uniforms also differ from primary to middle school to high school. So parents have to buy new sets even if the child has not outgrown the old one.

The uniforms that schools sell are available at lower rates in the market. But parents say that they cannot buy uniforms outside as schools have the logo on the uniforms, which is available in uniforms sold in the schools.

Mr Ashish Naredi, a member of the Hyderabad School Public Association, said, “The design of the uniform is changed every twothree years so that every parent is forced to keep aside the last year’s uniform and buy a new one. Also they make it compulsory to buy a complete set. They will not sell you only the trouser or the shirt. A textile vendor had offered to source the uniforms at half the rate for a few schools but was turned down. Probably because at that rate he would not be able to give the commission that other vendors were willing to.”

He said that a parent had to pay `750 to buy a pair of shoes from the school that was available at `350 outside. “The school selects a brand and students have to purchase it. No shoes from another brand are allowed.”

Mr Kadapa Venkat, a member of HSPA, said “Schools have many ways to loot but the easiest and smoothest way to make money is by selling books. Parents have no option but to buy books and uniforms from schools which should be at a discounted price but are being marked up more than 100 per cent.” Few schools do not do this. Dr Narsimha Reddy, principal, Hyderabad Public School Ramanthapur, said, “Buying books and uniforms and taking school transport is not mandatory in our school. The books are a part of the fees so we don’t charge additionally for them. We prescribe the uniforms and tell them where to find them outside.”