Bhubaneswar, Oct. 10: Many schools in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have resorted to the practice of compelling students to sell raffle coupons.

While this has been an existing norm for many schools to raise charity funds, these days some are also organising raffle just for profit.

“Last week, before the Durga Puja holidays, my 12-year-old son came home with two booklets of raffle coupons. I was upset, as I didn’t want him to be involved in such business. But, he told me that their teachers had distributed the booklets among the students and asked them to sell those during the vacation,” said Sarat Mohapatra, a parent.

“If teachers start distributing and compelling young kids to sell raffle coupons, how can we depend on them to teach moral values to our children,” added Mohapatra.

Many parents said since they did not wish their children to get involved in selling the coupons, they either ended up selling the coupons themselves or bought most of them.

“Since the school authorities make it a compulsory task to sell the tickets, we are forced to buy most of them. Otherwise the child may be ill-treated at school,” said another parent, Lopamudra.

“If it was a necessity to raise funds for a noble cause, it would still be understandable. But, my daughter has been asked to sell the tickets since the school is celebrating its golden jubilee. This is ridiculous,” added Lopamudra.

Minister of school and mass education Pratap Jena, however, said he had never received complaints from parents regarding such a practice.

“Asking students to sell raffle coupons is not permissible by law. If we ever receive a complaint against it from parents, the department will definitely take action against the school,” he said.

“Sadly, sometimes parents have an understanding with the school to conduct such activities to mobilise funds. But involving students in such activities is not at all acceptable,” Jena said.