SCHOOLS CAUTIONED AGAINST FORCING PARENTS TO PURCHASE UNIFORMS FROM SELECTED SUPPLIERS

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cautioned schools against forcing parents or guardians of learners to purchase school uniforms exclusively from selected suppliers.

The CCPC notes that this practice is common among some schools at the beginning of each academic year.

Commission Senior Public Relations Officer Florence M. Zaza says school authorities engage in a conduct that violates the provisions of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act by linking the availability of school places to the purchase of uniforms from the school or specific suppliers.

Ms. Zaza tells One Love Radio news that forcing learners, their parents, or guardians to purchase uniforms solely from the school or selected suppliers restricts consumer choice.

“Such practices can lead to inflated prices, reduced consumer choice, and diminished quality for the affected learners, parents, and guardians,” Ms. Zaza warned.

She said school authorities engaging in these activities should be aware that CCPC condemns such practices, as they not only limit market competition but also undermine the fairness of the market.

Ms. Zaza further said the practice of restricting uniform purchasing options excludes other competitive sources, distorting the market and creating an unfair advantage for specific suppliers.

“Such exclusionary and anti-competitive conduct ties the market for uniforms to school placements, which contravenes the promotion of healthy market competition,” she noted.

She emphasized that while CCPC acknowledges that uniforms must meet specific standards, schools should provide guidelines on the type, shade, and colour of uniforms required but should not mandate that parents or guardians purchase them exclusively from the school or designated suppliers.

Ms. Zaza has however commended members of the public who have reported such practices and the schools that have complied with the law after being engaged by the Commission.

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