As the new academic session approaches in Chandigarh, the chaos surrounding book procurement has made its way outside bookstores in Sectors 19 and 22. To curb the chaos, the education and the excise departments in Chandigarh have joined hands, to address the concerns raised by parents in regards to long wait times and exceeding an hour in some cases. Every year this frustration stems from a practice where specific schools recommend books only available at select stores, creating bottlenecks and long queues.
To resolve the situation and streamline the process, authorities convened a meeting in February where schools were instructed to recommend books available at a minimum of different bookstores across the city. Additionally, they were encouraged to stagger the book list, recommending later-semester books closer to the actual needed time. Despite these directives, the problem still exists, prompting further action from the authorities.
Furthermore, schools were advised to communicate with parents and encourage them to purchase books well before deadlines to avoid last-minute crowds. Additionally, schools were explicitly directed not to pressure parents into buying unnecessary new stationery items like geometry boxes and markers.
However, despite these efforts, the situation on the ground seemed to show little to no improvement. Recognizing this, the education department took decisive action on Wednesday. A joint letter was issued to all schools and bookstores in the city. Authored by UT director of school education and UT additional excise and taxation commissioner Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar, the letter acknowledged the department’s ongoing coordination with schools and bookstore owners over the past two weeks. However, it also cited media reports highlighting persistent issues like long queues and the practice of bundling books and stationery together.
While this letter serves as a strong warning, actions could involve penalization of schools and shop owners under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act. Officials also revealed plans to set up teams in major markets to conduct inspections of shops. The Chandigarh Parents Association (CPA) expressed disappointment with the department’s slow response. They pointed out that a committee formed last year to investigate the issues showed no concrete results, allowing the same problems to resurface this year. CPA president Nitin Goyal alleged an “open nexus” between schools, bookstores, and even some education department officials.
The education department has asked two private schools, St. John’s High School in Sector 26 and St. Stephen’s School in Sector 45, to explain the vendors listed on their websites for uniform procurement. This request comes after a parent complaint. The schools must respond within three days regarding the vendors listed, which includes businesses in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and Kharar.
As Chandigarh prepares for the upcoming academic session, the education department and the excise department face a crucial test. With collaborative efforts and enforcement measures, will authorities be able to create a smoother transition for students and parents alike, is to be seen.
