COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION WARNS SCHOOLS AGAINST RESTRICTING PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND LEARNERS IN CHOOSING UNIFORM SUPPLIERS

2026-01-21

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a caution to schools that are in the habit of tying school places to the purchase of uniforms from their schools or from specific suppliers, not to force or coerce parents/guardians and learners to purchase school uniforms exclusively from them or selected suppliers. CCPC notes that this practice is common among some schools at the beginning of each academic year. This conduct violates the provisions of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of 2010, as amended by Act No. 21 of 2023. The practice of forcing learners, their parents, or guardians to purchase uniforms solely from the school or selected suppliers restricts consumer choice. CCPC warns that such practices can lead to inflated prices, reduced consumer choice, and diminished quality for the affected learners, parents, and guardians. School authorities engaging in these activities should be aware that the law prohibits such practices, as they do not only violate consumer rights but these practices also distort market competition. Furthermore, the practice of restricting uniform purchasing options excludes other competitive sources, thereby distorting the market and creating an unfair advantage for specific suppliers. Such exclusionary and anti-competitive conduct of tying school places to buying of uniforms impedes the promotion of healthy market competition. While CCPC acknowledges that school uniforms must meet specific standards, it emphasizes that 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. Leaners and parents who choose to purchase uniforms from alternative sources at competitive prices must ensure that the uniforms meet the school’s standards. CCPC commends members of the public who have reported such practices and the schools that have complied with the law after being engaged by the Commission. CCPC encourages members of the public who encounter similar practices to file complaints promptly, in order to ensure that such matters are addressed in a timely manner. Further, CCPC would like to warn all schools to comply with the provisions of the law as failure to do so may attract a penalty of up to one hundred and fifty thousand penalty units in case of a ‘person’ and up to 10% of annual turnover in case of an ‘enterprise.’

CCPC

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