The Delhi government specifically ordered private schools that don’t get financial help from the government to not require parents to purchase books, uniforms, or other school supplies from particular stores. After receiving complaints that some schools were making families get items from specific shops and pay more for them, the Directorate of Education (the department in charge of schools) issued the order on April 1st.
Legal basis and policy rationale
The Delhi School Education Act and Rules from 1973, and the Rules about Free and Compulsory Education for Children from 2011, are what schools are supposed to do and they are designed to protect students from being exploited for money when it comes to their education and what they need for school.
Private schools that don’t get government money are supposed to operate without making a profit or losing money. According to officials in the notice, anything that turns necessary school supplies into a business or puts a financial burden on parents goes against this idea.
Requirements for schools on transparency and procurement
Schools are required to give parents a detailed list for each class, clearly showing what books, supplies and uniform items are required, and exactly what they should be like. This way parents can compare prices and quality from different stores.
The order says schools must make sure that everything on the list is sold in regular stores. Rather than forcing parents to use only one supplier, they need to be allowed to get materials from any shop at normal prices.
Schools also have to follow the rules for getting supplies that the CBSE, ICSE and state boards have set out. Any new books or supplies for this year must be put on the school website, in a very noticeable place.
Operational guidance for the start of the term
The Directorate of Education gave these directions when schools reopened for the 2026-27 school year. It also told school principals to get everything ready, including schedules, things to keep the school clean, safe water to drink, and working bathrooms.
Schools must get books and reading materials to students quickly, and have good signs around the school. Staff should be at the school entrances and exits to help students and make sure they arrive and leave in an orderly way.
Teacher responsibilities for an inclusive start
Teachers should have informal chats with students to let them talk about what they want to achieve and help the teachers figure out where students might be behind. The goal is to create a classroom where everyone feels welcome and involved, for both students returning to the school and new students.
School staff should talk to parents to understand what they want and update student information. These early talks will help find any extra help students might need and make it easier for them to get used to their new classes and friends.
Implications for parents, schools and the market
This is all meant to stop schools from unfairly profiting, encourage competition between sellers, and protect how much families have to spend. Parents had complained that some schools were forcing them to buy books, bags, belts and other accessories from specific shops, and that these shops were charging too much.
Parents can now reasonably expect that schools will not make them buy from specific stores. Families should look at the book lists on school websites and complain to the Directorate of Education if a school continues to push them to use a particular seller.
The order also tells schools that if they want to continue being a charity, they need to avoid making money from required supplies. School leaders have to make sure their buying practices follow the law and the rules of the boards, or they might get punished and lose people’s trust.
In general, the Delhi government’s advice strengthens parents’ ability to choose, encourages sellers to compete with each other and makes things more open in education. By making the laws and how things should work clearer, the Directorate of Education hopes to reduce the money worries of families and make the start of the school year go more smoothly.
