At a time when schools are already collecting hefty amounts from parents, the schools are forcing them to buy books from specified book dealers as the dealers pay bigger commissions, complained parents. They also complained that the schools and book dealers are not providing discounts for book purchases. [break]
According to a knowledgeable source, schools receive 25 to 40 percent commissions from dealers on book sales.
Parents have been left with no choice but to put up with the schools´ arbitrary behavior, Yam Bahadur Khadka, a parent, told Republica. “The schools overcharge fees under various unnecessary titles. Now, we are bound to buy books from the prescribed book shops only, and without any discount,” he added.
He believes that such anarchy by private schools can be ended if parents organise to voice their grievances.
Meanwhile, book traders in Nepalgunj informed that they are obliged to provide bigger commissions to schools owing to stiff competition and the mushrooming of book shops.
Some book dealers approach the schools themselves and negotiate the commission amount for books sold. As a result, many students have been deprived of price discounts, admitted Durga Singh Basnet, a book trader.
Secretary of Nepal Book and Stationery Traders Federation, Banke said some stationery and book shops are not following professional norms.
Book traders for their part allege that private schools select books for their curriculum on the basis of the commission amount they get from publishers instead of on the basis of quality.
Stating that the commission system persists among private schools, R.K Gautam, secretary of PABSON (Private and Boarding Schools Organization, Nepal), Banke said the system can be ended if the government puts reasonable price labels on books meant for private schools.
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