New Delhi/IBNS: The Delhi government issued a show-cause notice to 12 private schools across the national capital for not following the guidelines of the Directorate of Education as these schools were forcing parents to purchase expensive books and uniforms from specific vendors.

The government said that if satisfactory answers to notices are not received from schools, they would have to face action by the department.

"Immediate action was being taken on complaints of parents, and show cause notice was sent to 12 schools, and an inquiry has been ordered against six other schools," the government said in a statement.

Sharing this matter, Education Minister Atishi said, “Notices have been sent to the concerned schools asking them to explain the reasons for the complaints received from parents."

"Additionally, an investigation is also being carried out by the Directorate of Education (DoE). If any violations of guidelines are found, action will be taken against these schools under the relevant provisions of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973,” she said.

Despite the clear guidelines of DoE on books and uniforms, complaints against many schools forcing parents to buy expensive books and uniforms from specific vendors were being received.

"This is a clear violation of the rules, and to address this, the Education Department is working diligently to resolve every complaint received from parents on a priority basis. For schools where such complaints are coming up, officials are conducting investigations into these complaints, and notices have been issued to explain the reasons for violating the guidelines, the statement read.

Atishi said, “Guidelines issued by the Education Department give freedom to parents to buy books and uniforms from the vendors of their choice. If any school forces parents to buy expensive books and uniforms from specific vendors, then it is a violation of the rules."

"This will not be tolerated by the government and strict action will be taken against schools found guilty of violating these rules,” she added.