The District Merchants Chamber has urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Education Minister V. Sivankutty to take swift action to halt the widespread sale of uniforms, books, bags, shoes, and socks in private schools in Kannur and across the State
In a letter to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, the Chamber alleged that private schools continued selling such items on their premises, causing severe losses to local traders who depended on the back-to-school season for revenue.
He said many small traders, who had taken loans or mortgaged assets to prepare for the academic year, were now facing severe financial strain. The sale of goods on school premises was spoiling their chances of recovering from the losses, he added.
“The growing sale of supplies on school premises, coupled with the rise of online shopping, has pushed Kerala’s retail sector to the brink,” general secretary K. Sajid said, adding that hundreds of shops were shutting down each month.
The Chamber demanded an immediate ban on the commercial sale of educational materials on school premises and called for regular inspections across educational institutions to curb the practice.
Published – May 22, 2025 01:14 am IST
