Ahmedabad DEO issues strict directives to SDA school over textbook sales

Ahmedabad: In an effort to ensure transparency in the distribution and sale of textbooks for the academic year 2026–27, the district education officer (DEO) office has issued key directives to Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School located in Khokhra.The school earlier submitted a list of prescribed textbooks to the DEO office, seeking approval. Responding to this, the DEO has clearly stated that profiteering in the sale of textbooks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The move comes amid increasing concerns over the rising cost of educational materials and the burden on parents.As per the new instructions, the school principal has been directed to fix a specific date and time to invite publishers or wholesalers to the school premises.

A meeting must be organised with parents or their representatives to ensure maximum benefit and transparency for students. Additionally, the presence of an official or representative from the DEO office during this process has been made mandatory.The DEO has also permitted the school to arrange for textbook distribution within the campus itself, ensuring that students do not have to visit multiple locations to procure their books.

Meanwhile, the school principal, in a written response, clarified that textbook selection has been made purely on academic merit. The school has also retained several books from the previous year to ease financial pressure, allowing reuse by siblings.