DSEK silent over exploitation of students, parents
FAIZAN BUKHARI
SRINAGAR, Apr 5: An alleged nexus between the well-known private schools of Srinagar city and few uniform makers (business units) has been a continuous source of exploitation of the students and their parents.
The availability of school uniforms at only two selected uniform outlets in Lal Chowk area of the summer capital has created a monopoly in the market thereby compelling the parents to stand in long queues and wait for hours for their turn to buy a uniform.
The two uniform outlets ‘Kohli Brothers’ and ‘Harrods’ at Regal Chowk Srinagar are the only suppliers for the well-known schools like Mallinson, Presentation Convent, Tyndale Biscoe, Burn Hall and Delhi Public School as these schools have given the contract to these two sellers only.
This has badly affected small businessmen across the city and created a monopoly in the market thereby making the two outlets to rule the roost, said a parent who was seen in queue in front of Kohli Brothers at Lal Chowk.
“This is purely a nexus between these uniform sellers and the schools to exploit the students and their parents. These uniforms are not available anywhere in the market as the contract is only between these outlets and the school authorities,” he added.
Another parent who was waiting for his turn to buy a uniform from the Kohli Brothers for his ward who studies at Kashmir Valley School while talking to Kashmir Despatch, said: “I have been waiting here since morning in this scorching heat to get a uniform for my son but looking at the rush of people here I think I shall have to return empty handed.”
Directorate of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK) has been acting as a silent spectator over the issue and no instructions have been issued so far to look into the matter, complained most of the parents standing in queue in Lal Chowk.
“Who fixes the rates for these school uniforms? The rates are arbitrary but DSEK does not care to fix the responsibility. All this is happening under DSEK’s noose and these uniform sellers don’t care about how people are suffering,” another parent Mudasir Malik, also waiting for his turn to buy a uniform, asked while talking to Kashmir Despatch.
He added the sale of books and uniforms, in this manner amounts to exploitation of those parents who manage to send their children to private schools despite financial constraints.
Buying a uniform in this situation has become a herculean task especially for the working parents who have to take a day or two off from their offices and then wait in long queues and that too in this holy month of Ramadhan.
On one side the uniforms are available only at the two designated stores in Regal Chowk area of Srinagar city and on the other side the school authorities are pressing the parents hard to buy the uniforms or else their children won’t be allowed to enter the school premises.
“This is simply frustrating for me. The sellers don’t even bother to open more sale counters to ease the rush and make it convenient for the customers to make purchases. They are only bothered about their sales. People can’t even park their vehicles outside as the traffic cops are ready to tow them away,” said Humaira Javed, a teacher waiting in the long queue.
A group of parents waiting to buy school uniforms told Kashmir Despatch that there’s no end to ‘fleecing’ by the private schools but the authorities are looking the other way.
“This practice is hurting the business interests of small shopkeepers and exploiting students. It is no secret that most of the private schools in J&K have a nexus with the booksellers and uniform makers as they get a hefty commission since parents have to purchase these items from the prescribed booksellers and uniform sellers. We have no choice as the schools tie up with the vendors of books and uniforms. We have to buy the items knowing that we are paying extra money,” the group of parents said.
Director School Education, Kashmir did not answer despite repeated phone calls from Kashmir Despatch. Secretary Education, B K Singh also did not answer the repeated calls.
