“Books’ Covers Made of Silver?”: Viral Video Slams Private Schools Over Textbook Prices
A viral video circulating on social media has reignited the debate around the rising cost of education, with a man criticizing private schools for allegedly overcharging parents for textbooks. In the video, he claims that some schools are demanding up to Rs 6,000 for a set of books for Class 5 students, questioning whether the books are “made of silver.”
The video, which has garnered significant attention online, shows the man sarcastically commenting on the high prices. “Maybe the cover pages are made of silver, or the photos inside have a silver mark. Or perhaps, the moment a child touches the book, they instantly memorize everything,” he says. “If not, why are these books priced so high?”
He further criticizes the mismatch between the goals of the New Education Policy (NEP) and the practices of private institutions. “When NEP speaks of ‘One Nation, One Class, One Curriculum, One Publication,’ why are private schools selling books at such expensive rates? This not only increases the weight of school bags but also burdens parents financially,” he adds.
The video has triggered a flood of reactions from users, many of whom echoed the man’s sentiments. One user wrote, “We need a law that restricts schools from selling anything except education. Fixed supplies at inflated prices with kickbacks are hurting both parents and the retail sector.”
Another user commented, “This hits hard! Schools are turning into shopping malls. Buy everything here, but for education, look elsewhere. Maybe it’s time to form a ‘Parent Union’ to negotiate fees and demand real learning.”
Some shared personal experiences, with one claiming to have paid Rs 9,000 for textbooks and notebooks for a student in Class 7. “It’s becoming bloody commercial. All business, no real education,” the user said.
The issue also took a political turn, with a few users alleging that many private schools have political backing and resist reforms in the education sector.
As textbook prices continue to rise, the video has amplified growing concerns among parents and education activists, demanding stricter regulation and transparency in private school practices.
