Regulate School Uniforms, Notebooks, Teacher Salaries & Textbook Monopoly in Haldwani & Across INDIA

Problems Faced by Parents and Teachers in Haldwani and Across India :

When I became a parent, I had many hopes and dreams for my child's future. I wanted my child to receive the best education without any financial pressure. But when my child entered school, I started feeling the burden of the system that was supposed to promote education, but instead, it was exploiting it for its benefit.

I remember when I first bought the school uniform. It was the start of the school year, and I was excited to get my child ready. But as soon as I saw the cost of the uniform, my excitement turned into concern. It wasn't just the uniform; the school made additional items like sports kits, shoes, belts, socks, and ribbons mandatory – and all of these were expensive. I felt like I was being forced to spend money on things I didn't need.

It's true that when school uniforms were first introduced, the goal was to eliminate social-economic disparity among children, so that all kids could feel equal. But now, it has become a trend. Schools are making uniforms with their brand logo mandatory to promote their own brand. Parents are being forced to advertise the school brand with their hard-earned money. Should we really be promoting the school brand with our own earnings?

Then, there's the issue of notebooks. I remember when I was told to buy notebooks with the school name on them, and I couldn't understand why. Does the school's name make the notebook any better? Does it increase the chances of a child scoring better grades or learning faster? No. A regular notebook does the same job. But these "branded" notebooks have just become a way to lighten parents' pockets. Has anyone stopped to consider that this is just a way of putting extra financial pressure on parents? Why should we believe that the school's name makes the notebook special?

We should have the option to buy standard, affordable notebooks from any shop, not these branded ones with no added value. It's wrong to put such pressure on parents.

Next, the issue of book supply. In a city like Haldwani, with over 1 million people, there's only one authorized supplier. Every year, parents have to stand in long lines to buy books at expensive prices. This is a type of monopoly. Why can't we buy books from multiple suppliers to get competitive prices? It feels like a scam that benefits only the suppliers, not the parents.

But this isn't all.

As I became more involved with the school, I noticed that teachers were also facing problems. A close friend of mine who works as a teacher at a private school works day and night, preparing lectures even after school hours, but her salary is so low that she barely manages to cover her expenses. Teachers are being forced to work without proper payment.

I also observed that some private schools ask for donations at the time of admission. This puts additional pressure on parents. In some schools, this donation is made mandatory, and parents who can't afford it are disrespected. It's sad that so many parents are forced to give donations just to provide their children with a good education.

Finally, I realized that there is a significant gap in the education system – moral education and yoga. Our children are busy reading books and memorizing calculations, but what about their mental and physical well-being? Are they being taught how important compassion, honesty, and physical health are? These aspects are missing from the curriculum.

After hearing these personal experiences and the stories of other parents and teachers, I realized that the system we rely on is not fair. It puts unnecessary financial burden on parents, exploits teachers, and ignores the mental and physical well-being of our children.

That's why I decided to take action. I want to see change. I want to ensure that no parent has to choose between their child's education and financial security. I want to see that teachers are respected and properly compensated for their hard work. I want an education system that promotes holistic development – a system that teaches our children not only academic knowledge but also honesty and self-confidence.

This petition is not just my voice; it is the voice of every parent, teacher, and child who is trapped in a system that was created to serve them but is now oppressing them. By supporting this cause, you are standing up for a better future for our children and teachers.

Let's join hands to bring about change. Sign this petition. Share your story. Together, we can show how serious we are about education, justice, and the future of our children.