Newz Desk, Durgapur: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is preparing to issue a strict guideline mandating that all CBSE-affiliated schools use only NCERT textbooks up to Class VIII, barring the purchase or recommendation of books from private publishers.
According to government sources, the move comes in response to widespread complaints from parents who allege that several CBSE schools have been pressuring them to buy costly books published by private companies instead of NCERT’s affordable alternatives. While an NCERT textbook usually costs around ₹65–70, books from private publishers often range between ₹150 and ₹200, placing a heavy financial burden on families.
Parents say that in many schools, even students of the lower classes are being compelled to buy book sets costing as much as ₹4,000–₹5,000. With school fees already high, the additional expense of private textbooks has left many households struggling.
Parents struggling to cope with the mounting expenses
Despite the existence of government-approved textbooks, several schools have reportedly been bypassing the norm without facing consequences. A detailed report on these complaints has already been submitted to the Ministry of Education, prompting the ministry to take the issue seriously.
Government officials have clarified that no school is permitted to force parents to buy textbooks from private publishers when NCERT materials are available. They also noted that selling government-published books at inflated prices in the open market is illegal.
The upcoming guideline is expected to clearly state that no CBSE school may use or prescribe any textbook other than those published by NCERT for Classes I to VIII. In addition to issuing the directive, the Centre is also considering surprise inspections in schools to ensure compliance.
If any school is found violating the rules or coercing parents into buying non-NCERT books, strict action may follow, officials indicated.
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