Punjab bans private schools from forcing parents to buy supplies from selected shops

The Punjab School Education Department has formally barred private schools across the province from forcing parents to buy books, uniforms, stationery or other school items from specific shops, calling the practice illegal and exploitative.

In an official circular, the department warned that any pressure on parents to purchase items from nominated vendors violates the law governing private educational institutions. Private schools, the notification said, may only provide a list of required books and supplies and cannot bind parents to buy them from any particular outlet.

The department said compelling parents to purchase items – directly or indirectly – from designated shops goes against the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) framework and will invite strict action.

The move follows a growing number of complaints from parents, particularly in cities such as Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. Parents have long accused private schools of turning education into a commercial activity by forcing families to buy branded uniforms, bags, copies and stationery at prices far higher than those in the open market.

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Education watchdogs and consumer rights groups have previously reported that some private schools allegedly earn commissions from selected vendors, making compulsory purchases a hidden source of income. In several cases, parents said children were threatened with penalties, warnings or exclusion from class for not complying.

Officials in the School Education Department said the directive aims to end such practices and restore transparency. The notification instructs parents to immediately file complaints with their respective District Education Authority if any school pressures them to buy items from a particular shop.

Authorities said complaints would be taken seriously and followed by inquiries and enforcement action.

The decision also aligns with earlier scrutiny by regulatory bodies, including the Competition Commission of Pakistan, which has taken notice of anti-competitive practices by large private school networks. Show-cause notices were issued in the past over allegations of forcing parents to buy overpriced supplies, indicating the issue is widespread.

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Education experts say the step could provide relief to middle- and lower-income families already struggling with rising education costs amid inflation. With school fees, transport charges and other expenses increasing, mandatory purchases from specific shops had become an added burden.

“Several times we raised this issue but private schools have continuously sold books, bags and uniforms at expensive rates. We appreciate the government order and also demand that this decision be strictly implemented,” said Rana Liaqat Ali, Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union.

Parents have welcomed the directive but remain cautious, noting that similar orders in the past were weakly enforced. Some said schools often use subtle tactics, such as recommending “approved” vendors or rejecting items bought elsewhere on technical grounds.

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Officials said enforcement would be stricter this time. District education authorities have been directed to closely monitor private schools, especially at the start of the academic session. Schools found violating the order could face fines, warnings or registration-related penalties.

The move is part of broader efforts by the Punjab government to regulate private schools, including limits on fee hikes, advance fee collection and additional charges. Analysts say effective enforcement could set a precedent for curbing other questionable practices in the private education sector, though much will depend on sustained oversight in the coming months.