Ambala, May 10
While parents have hailed a recent order issued by the Directorate, School Education, Haryana, asking private schools to ensure that only NCERT books are used, the private schools have decided to challenge the order in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Ajay Gupta, president, Parents Welfare Association, Ambala, said, “Several schools recommend particular books, available at selected shops, to students that were being sold at exorbitant rates due to the nexus between the school authorities and private publishers. We welcome the order issued by the directorate and the department should implement the orders strictly.”
Objecting to the order, Saurabh Kapoor, president, Integrated Private School Welfare Society, said “It is unrealistic to recommend NCERT books only. Quality of the content and low availability of NCERT books are the prime reason behind the private schools using books of private publishers. The books are selected by the principals on the basis of their experience and the content is based on NCERT. The Education Department can’t force the schools to use NCERT books only. The schools should have the liberty to choose the books and maintain the quality of education.”