Parents protest 'commercialisation of education'

Parents' associations across the country came together in the national Capital on Friday to raise their voice against the 'commercialisation of education' in schools.

The associations had a number of issues to talk about, namely the fact that some schools forced children to purchase books and uniforms from some specified shops, that sold them at much higher rates than other shops. The associations alleged that these schools changed books frequently ensuring that the previous books could not be reused and thus making huge profits.

"There is no uniform law for education all over the country. Some states like Maharashtra have comparatively effective laws whereas states like Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory Chandigarh have no law to curb commercialisation of education at all," said Anubha Sahai from India Wide Parents Association (IWPA).

The association also raised the issue of misbehaviour with students by schools for not paying fees on time. "Several schools use brutal methods of removing children who fail to pay fees on time, many of them even resort to punishing students by debarring them from attending classes and making them sit in libraries," said Sunil Verma, a member of the Dwarka Parents Association.

The associations said they have prepared legal drafts against illegal fee collections by the school authorities across the country and will submit them to various courts.

"State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has failed to perform their duties," said Swaroop Singh from Ludhiana Parents Association.