Mumbai: ZEE News, India’s leading and trusted news channel known for highlighting real issues, has launched a nationwide campaign exposing the alleged overpricing of school books by private schools, spotlighting the financial burden on parents this back-to-school season.
The campaign highlights concerns around schools mandating purchases through select vendors, with reports of books priced at ₹50 in the open market being sold for up to ₹500 via school channels. Through this initiative, ZEE News aims to investigate pricing practices, examine possible school-publisher linkages, and identify violations of fair trade norms and consumer rights, while inviting parents to share their book purchase bills via WhatsApp at 9310497453 to support a data-led probe.
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. 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.”
The impact of the campaign against school monopolies in textbook sales is already being felt across multiple regions, with authorities taking notice of the issue. In Delhi, the Directorate of Education has issued guidelines stating that schools cannot compel parents to buy books from specific shops and must provide details of at least five nearby booksellers.
Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education, has taken cognizance of the report and assured that appropriate action will be taken. Members of Parliament, including Dinesh Sharma from the Rajya Sabha and Janardan Singh Sigriwal from the Lok Sabha, have expressed their support for stringent action against schools that violate these norms.
In Uttar Pradesh, the government plans to conduct inspections in schools, with penalties for those found guilty of unfair practices. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh intends to organize book fairs to ensure that students and parents have access to textbooks at reasonable prices, promoting affordability and transparency in educational resources.
With this campaign, ZEE News reinforces its commitment to journalism that goes beyond headlines to address real issues affecting citizens, aiming to ensure that education remains accessible, equitable, and free from exploitation, while continuing to encourage parents across the country to come forward and strengthen this movement for accountability.
-Based on Press Release
