Publishers welcome High Court decision on non-NCERT books

NEW DELHI, FEB 27: The Association of Publishers in India (API) has welcomed the Delhi High Court’s decision to allow the sale of both NCERT and non-NCERT books in CBSE run schools.

The High Court while hearing petitions filed by the Association of School Vendors and the Parents-Students Welfare Association challenging CBSE circular putting a ban on the sale of stationery, uniforms, and books at school shops affiliated with the Board.

In April 2017, the CBSE directed all the schools affiliated to it to not indulge in any commercial activity by way of selling books, stationery, uniforms and school bags within the school premises and to adhere to the provisions of Affiliation Bye-laws of the board.

The High Court ruling, in addition to providing convenience to children and parents, will also enable them to choose books depending on their preference.

The Court observed, “If the sale of books and uniform in the school shops without any coercion on the students/parents to buy the same from these shops, is treated as ‘commercialisation’, there is no reason as to why even the sale of food items in canteen facilities would also not be treated as commercialisation."

The API has issued a statement following the judgment saying, “The court decision exemplifies the point that an ideal education system is the one that recognizes the role of multiple stakeholders and is leaner-centric. The decision has been welcomed by not just students and parents but also by schools, private publishers, authors and others as it symbolizes ‘freedom of choice’ in education.”

Private publishers all over the country have invested in developing pedagogically advanced content – in addition to investing in digital resources and teacher training, have welcomed this ruling.

The Association has said that the publishers have significantly contributed to India’s position as a global knowledge superpower and there must be a level playing field for them to feel incentivized about developing original and high-quality content.