Days before the next academic session begins, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday directed all private schools against increasing fee or compelling children to buy books, uniform or stationery items from select shops. Mann said parents want to provide education to their children but it has become costly, making it unaffordable. "Today, I am going to announce two big decisions which our government has taken related to the education sector," said Mann before making the announcements in a video message. "No private school in Punjab will hike fee in this semester when new admissions take place," Mann said. He said no private school in the state will compel children or their parents to purchase books, uniform and stationery items from a particular shop. He said the private schools will have to provide children and their parents with addresses of all shops selling stationery items, books and the uniform. "It is up to parents from where they want to purchase these items for their children," Mann said. He said the decisions will come into force with immediate effect.