Lucknow schools end mandatory book shops

• Lucknow private schools end mandatory book and stationery purchases
• UPSA members to ensure flexibility and curb inflated vendor prices
• Schools to minimise textbook changes to reduce parental expenses

Parents in Lucknow can rejoice as private schools have pledged to end mandatory purchases from select shops. Discover how this move aims to ease financial burdens and ensure compliance with regulations.

Liberating Book Purchases

In a significant development for parents in Lucknow, the Unaided Private Schools Association (UPSA) has declared that its member institutions will cease the practice of requiring parents to buy textbooks and stationery from designated vendors. This proactive measure, adopted during a recent UPSA meeting attended by representatives from over 200 private schools, aims to alleviate financial pressure on families. The association emphasized that this decision was made to ensure greater flexibility and affordability for parents when acquiring essential school supplies, moving away from a system that previously directed parents to specific shops, potentially at inflated prices.

Fee Regulation Adherence

The UPSA has affirmed that all its affiliated schools are diligently adhering to the Unaided Private Schools Association Fee Regulation Act, which has been in effect for the past seven years. This legislation dictates that any fee increments in private schools are calculated based on a formula of 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Over the last six academic years, the maximum permissible fee increase has been capped at 10%. For the ongoing academic session, 2026–27, the total fee hike has been fixed at a more modest 7.5%, as stated by UPSA president Anil Agarwal. This commitment to regulatory compliance underscores the association's efforts to maintain transparency and fairness in school fee structures.

Stabilizing Textbook Changes

Addressing parental concerns regarding the recurring expense of purchasing new books, private schools are committing to a more stable approach. The UPSA plans to implement strategies to minimize frequent changes in textbook requirements. Specifically, for institutions following the ICSE and CBSE curricula, concerted efforts will be made to keep the prescribed book lists consistent until such a time as the examination boards themselves introduce revisions to their syllabi. This initiative seeks to provide parents with greater predictability and reduce the financial strain associated with acquiring updated educational materials year after year.

GST Rationalization Plea

In its ongoing efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents, the UPSA intends to approach the government with a request for rationalizing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on paper products used for school-related materials. Currently, these items are subject to an 18% GST, which contributes to the overall cost. Jawaid Alam Khan, senior vice-president of UPSA and CBSE city coordinator, highlighted this proposal, suggesting that a reduction in this tax could significantly lower the expenses parents face for notebooks, stationery, and other paper-based supplies essential for education.