The start of the 2026 academic year in Punjab has again highlighted concerns over the continued sale of textbooks and uniforms by private schools despite restrictions imposed by the education department and court orders.
Parents say several private schools across the province are still asking them to purchase complete sets of books and uniforms directly from the schools or their designated vendors. According to them, the items are often sold at prices higher than those available in local markets, increasing the financial burden on families already dealing with rising living costs.
The practice continues despite repeated instructions issued by the Punjab School Education Department (SED) and earlier judicial directives. In 2019, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed private schools to stop selling books and uniforms on their premises after receiving complaints from parents.
Following the court’s decision, the SED issued notifications to private schools across Punjab, instructing them not to sell educational materials or uniforms to students. Authorities had clarified that schools could recommend textbooks and uniform designs, but they could not compel parents to buy them from specific shops or school-managed counters.
However, parents from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi say the policy is still being ignored. Some schools allegedly offer book packages available only through school counters or specific vendors, telling parents that purchasing the official package is necessary to obtain the correct course material.
Parents also say uniforms are often sold through similar arrangements. In some cases, books available in markets for around Rs. 5,000 are reportedly being sold for nearly Rs. 20,000 through school-linked suppliers.
