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Maharashtra ends ‘vendor monopoly’ in private schools

Mumbai, Apr 18 (UNI) In a significant move to curb the alleged financial exploitation of parents by private schools, the Maharashtra School Education Department has issued a strict circular prohibiting institutions from forcing students to purchase uniforms, notebooks or other educational materials from specific vendors.
The April 15 directive, applicable from the academic year 2026–27, mandates that schools must not impose restrictions requiring parents to buy items exclusively from designated shops or from the school itself. The circular also introduces a structured complaint redressal mechanism, marking a key step towards enforcement rather than mere policy declaration.
Under the new guidelines, authorities have been instructed to appoint nodal officers to handle complaints related to such practices. Schools and education offices must publicise official email IDs for grievance submission, ensuring accessibility for parents. In addition, School Management Committees have been directed to pass formal resolutions and widely disseminate awareness about the circular across all schools under their jurisdiction.
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