Mumbai, April 19 -- 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 appoi...