By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 5: Parents of students at St. Margaret’s School, Shillong, have expressed concern over a directive by school authorities requiring them to purchase school bags from a specific outlet at significantly higher prices.
Several parents, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that while the quality of bags at two city shops—HU Textiles and Shubham Shoppy—is nearly identical, the school instructed them to purchase only from Shubham Shoppy. They pointed out that a medium-sized bag at Shubham Shoppy costs Rs 1,030, whereas a larger bag at HU Textiles is priced at Rs 600.
“We are being forced to buy these bags at almost double the price, even though the quality available at both shops is the same,” a parent stated, adding that the designated retailer appears to be exploiting a monopoly.
When contacted, Sr. Maria Ali Thapa of St. Margaret’s School clarified that the shop which first approached the school with a sample was approved. “The work was allotted to the first shop. Once the bag design is approved, parents are free to buy it from anywhere,” she claimed.
Defending the price difference, Shubham Shoppy acknowledged the concerns but argued that the higher cost is justified by superior quality. However, parents maintain that they are being pressured into an unnecessary expense and have called for more flexibility.
