After City Chief published a news report regarding non-availability of government-prescribed mandatory government textbooks to students in grades 5th and 8th in Alot, the Education Department became active. The department immediately formed an investigation team and conducted a thorough investigation at private schools and book sellers in the city. During the investigation, nine private schools were inspected, and show-cause notices were issued for non-availability of prescribed government textbooks in three of them. All major book sellers in the city were also visited to inspect the rate lists, availability of government books, and sales arrangements.

As per government instructions, studies and examinations in grades 5th and 8th are to be conducted only using prescribed government textbooks. However, complaints continued to surface that some private schools were using books from private publishers and encouraging students to purchase expensive books. City Chief prominently covered this serious issue. Following the report, the Education Department took the matter seriously and initiated action.

The inspection team included Block Education Officer Dilip Sharma, Block Resource Center Coordinator (District Education Center) Prahlad Saroniya, BAC Mukesh Kumar Pradhan, Public Teacher Rajesh Kumar Joshi, and Public Teacher Gopal Solanki. The team visited the schools and closely inspected students' books, school-issued textbooks, study materials, and the government-prescribed curriculum.

During the inspection, show-cause notices were issued to the school operators after mandatory government textbooks for grades 5th and 8th were found unavailable in three schools. While instructing them to submit their responses within the stipulated timeframe, the officials clarified that if satisfactory responses were not received or if irregularities were found again, action would be taken as per the accreditation provisions.

Inspections at Booksellers' Shops Also Included

The Education Department's action was not limited to schools. The inspection team also visited all the major booksellers in the city. Here, the officials inspected the availability of government books, price lists, and sales arrangements. It was also checked whether any schools were charging more than the prescribed price or whether any pressure was being exerted to sell books from private publishers instead of government-approved books. Officials instructed all booksellers to display rate lists and provide books only in accordance with government guidelines.

Parents Will Get Relief

Following departmental action, parents have hoped that students will now receive government-prescribed books on time and will not be forced to purchase expensive books from private publishers. The department has issued clear instructions to all private schools not to pressure any student or parent to purchase books from any particular publisher and to ensure only the government-approved curriculum is followed.

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"Nine private schools in the city were inspected, and show-cause notices were issued to three of them for not providing the prescribed government books for grades 5th and 8th. Rate lists and books were also inspected at all book sellers' shops. If violations are found, action will be taken as per the rules."

— Prahlad Saroniya, Block Resource Center Coordinator, District Education Center, Alot