Private schools sell textbooks, uniforms

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 14

Despite directions of the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to all schools that they cannot sell books, uniforms and stationery, hardly any private school in Kangra district is following these directions and are openly indulging in commercial activities.

The HP Board of School Education and the CBSE had taken these steps following a large number of complaints from parents and stakeholders that schools were indulging in commercial activities by way of forcibly selling books and uniforms to students within the school premises or through selected booksellers.

Both the educational agencies have taken a serious view of the complaints and have issued necessary directions to all educational institutions to desist from the unhealthy practice of coercing parents into buying textbooks, notebooks, stationary, uniforms, shoes and bags from school premises or selected shops.

The state board and the CBSE mandate that schools are run as part of community service. Most of these schools avail 100 per cent tax exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. No income tax is paid by such institutions, therefore no commercial activities can be carried out by them. In case of violations, the exemption certificate granted to them by the I-T Department can be withdrawn immediately. On the complaint of the authorities, these schools can face heavy taxes, besides action under the provisions of IPC for cheating and forgery.

Educational institutions have been termed as charitable institutions under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, which is why they enjoy 100 per cent tax exemption and are not commercial.

The HP Board of School Education and the CBSE have categorically directed all schools to stick to books published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).