Ahmedabad DEO issues notice to Udgam School for alleged pressure over uniform, sweater purchases

The Ahmedabad District Education Office (DEO) has taken strict action against the Udgam School in Thaltej after multiple parents complained that the school was pressuring them to purchase uniforms and winter sweaters from specific vendors.

As per the complaints, the school administration allegedly insisted that students buy shoes, uniforms, sweaters, and sports kits of a particular brand from a fixed vendor only. 

During the inquiry, officials reportedly found that similar instructions were uploaded on the school’s website, indirectly compelling parents to make purchases from the specified shops.

However, currently, the school website states, “There has been misleading information circulating in the media that the school is forcing parents to buy specific brands of sweaters and shoes. But the fact is the school does not promote any brands, parents are completely free to buy whichever brand they prefer from wherever they want.”

“All the staff members have been strictly informed not to force strict uniform compliance – be it brands or uniform colours on students, if parents come across any such incidents, they can reach out to management directly and we will ensure strict actions will be taken against them,” it says.

In the show-cause notice, the DEO stated that the school’s actions violate provisions of the Education Department’s 2014 resolutions and sections 17 and 19 of the RTE Act, 2009. The school has been asked to explain why a penalty of ₹10,000 per student should not be imposed for the violation.

Parents also complained that during winter, students wearing plain sweaters were reportedly stopped and told to wear only sweaters with the school logo. This issue, too, has been taken seriously by the authorities.

The Ahmedabad DEO has directed the principal and management of Udgam School to remain present in person and submit their explanation without delay.