----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Stationers oppose book sales in schools ----------------------------------------------------------- The issue of sale of exercise books by various educational institutions around the state to their students, is once again all set to create a controversy, with the recent presentation of a memorandum by the Goa Book Sellers' Association to the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, opposing the same.
The memorandum alleged that the business of the local book shop owners and stationary merchants has been seriously affected by this 'venture' undertaken by the local schools. The memorandum also included the list of some educational institutions which are indulging in this activity.
When contacted the director of the directorate of education, Mr Ashok N P Dessai expressed ignorance about presentation of such a dmemorandum and said the directorate ha not received any related instructions from the Chief Minister, who is also the Education Minister.
The directorate had, however, sent a circular to all the schools in the state, dated May 22, 2001 and signed by the deputy director of Education (academics), Mr D M D'Costa which said, "A number of instances have come to the notice of this directorate that some of the schools are selling textbooks, exercise books, stationary items and even sometimes, cloth for school uniform. The heads of the school management are advised to curb all such commercial activities in their schools with immediate effect."
The vice-president of the Goa Book Sellers' Association, Mr Subhash Singal said "The circular had some effect last year, but the activity has resumed this year. And this has forced the book sellers to urge the government for probing the matter."
Mr Singbal further noted that on an average, a school student has to pay Rs 510 for exercise books, including school diary, if the student buys them from the school. "However, in any local stationary shop, the same is available for around Rs 225," he informed.
It is learnt that the Chief Minister on receiving the memorandum, has issued instructions to the officials of the directorate of education to send a fresh circular to the schools banning the same. This second circular, however, unlike the first one has the backing of law.
In a strange coincidence, a division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising the Chief Justice Mr C K Thakker and Mr Justice D Chandrachud, gave a landmark judgment dated April 10, 2003, directing the deputy director of education to stop schools from compelling parents to buy stationary or uniforms from the school office or a particular seller. The order was passed after two public interest litigations filed in this regard were heard.
Mr Singbal observed that the court judgment would go a long way in curbing the practice of sale of textbooks and exercise books, stationary items as well as uniform cloth by the schools to its students, on compulsory basis.
"The law will provide 'freedom of individual choice' to the parents to buy all the above items. Or else the schools would be charged with the contempt of court," he said. A large number of book stalls, stationary stores and cloth shops will not only help parents to buy items from the seller of their choice, but also save quite a sizable amount in the process. The officials of various schools in the city, on the other hand, refused to comment on the issue, when contacted for their opinion. ---------------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 28/05/03 page 1 ----------------------------------------------------
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