New Delhi: India’s apex rights body, the National Human Rights Commission, has issued notices to the Union government and all states and Union Territories over allegations that private schools are prescribing expensive textbooks from private publishers in violation of existing education norms.

The action follows a complaint claiming that several institutions, including those affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, are mandating non-prescribed books instead of those developed by official academic bodies, thereby placing a financial strain on families.

Allegations of financial burden and policy violations

According to the complaint, privately published textbooks are significantly costlier than those produced by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and state-level SCERTs, which are subsidised to remain affordable. The practice, it said, results in an “exorbitant financial burden” on parents.

It further alleged that the trend runs counter to the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises equitable access to education, and violates provisions of the Right to Education Act 2009, particularly Section 29 that governs curriculum and evaluation standards.

NHRC seeks reports from Centre and states

A Bench led by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of the matter and observed that the allegations, if substantiated, may amount to violations of statutory provisions.

Invoking its powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, the Commission has asked the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education, along with Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, to examine the issue and submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs).

Directions on monitoring and audits

The Commission has sought clarity on whether state authorities have issued instructions to district officials to ensure compliance with textbook norms at the elementary level. In cases where such directives are absent, it has asked governments to issue appropriate orders mandating the use of NCERT or SCERT textbooks.

States have also been asked to provide data on enrolment in government and private schools, details of textbooks prescribed for the 2025–26 academic year, and records of any inspections carried out to detect violations.

Where no such audits have been conducted, the NHRC has directed authorities to undertake school-wise reviews of prescribed booklists within 30 days and submit their findings.

Concerns over school bag policy

The complaint also flagged the use of multiple textbooks and workbooks, which it said contravenes the National School Bag Policy 2020. The policy aims to regulate the weight of school bags and restrict the number of additional materials prescribed to students.

The Commission has called for strict enforcement of these guidelines alongside textbook regulations.

Clarifications sought from Ministry

Separately, the Ministry of Education has been asked to clarify the role of academic authorities such as NCERT and SCERTs in determining curriculum and textbooks under the RTE framework.

It has also been directed to specify whether examination boards have any authority to prescribe textbooks at the elementary level.

The NHRC has instructed all concerned authorities to submit detailed reports, along with supporting documents, within the stipulated timeframe for further review.

(IANS)