ZEE News has initiated a nationwide campaign examining the alleged overpricing of school textbooks by private schools, drawing attention to the financial burden placed on parents ahead of the new academic season. The campaign focuses on reports of schools mandating book purchases through select vendors at prices significantly above open market rates with books available for Rs 50 in the open market reportedly being sold for up to Rs 500 through school-designated channels.
The initiative aims to investigate pricing practices, examine possible school-publisher linkages, and identify violations of fair trade norms and consumer rights. Parents have been invited to share book purchase bills via WhatsApp at 9310497453 to support a data-led probe.
The campaign has drawn responses from both the government and Parliament. Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education, has taken cognizance of the reports and assured appropriate action. Members of Parliament Dinesh Sharma of the Rajya Sabha and Janardan Singh Sigriwal of the Lok Sabha have expressed support for stringent action against schools found in violation of established norms.
The impact is already being felt on the ground. In Delhi, the Directorate of Education has issued guidelines stating that schools cannot compel parents to purchase books from specific vendors and must provide details of at least five nearby booksellers.
Commenting on the initiative, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor, Zee News said, “At a time when public discourse is dominated by global conflicts and geopolitical developments, it is equally important to focus on issues that affect citizens at the grassroots level. Education is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of nation-building, and it must not be commercialised in a way that places undue financial pressure on families.”
He explained, “Through this campaign, we aim to drive transparency, encourage accountability, and ensure that no parent is forced into unfair practices when it comes to their child’s education. This is not just about pricing – it is about protecting the integrity of the education system and advocating for the rights of millions of families across the country”
