THE Competition Commission has urged private schools to adhere to the school uniform guidelines aimed at curbing anti-competitive behaviour at schools.
In a statement issued on the first day of school of the 2019 academic year, the Competition Commission said schools adhering to the school uniform guidelines would be complying with the Competition Act and ensuring that uniforms become reasonable and affordable.
An investigation into the anti-competitive behaviour at schools was concluded by the Competition Commission early last year. The probe established that a number of schools still had exclusive contracts with one supplier. These contracts didn’t go through a competitive and transparent bidding process.
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“Given the number of schools and other considerations, it was felt that schools must focus on the primary function, which is to educate. The Commission was reluctant to drag these schools through protracted litigation process and distract them from their main function,” Competition Commission spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement.
He said the Competition Commission, during its investigation, engaged all stakeholders including private schools, suppliers, governing bodies, and the government.
“We agreed on the implementation of school uniform guidelines issued by the government,” he said.
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