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Post Reporter
WITH schools opening next week, Government has warned schools over forcing parents to buy uniforms from them when there are cheaper options available.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education recently gave schools the greenlight to produce and sell uniforms but said it is illegal for the learning institutions to insist that parents buy from them or specific suppliers if the alternatives meet the quality or standards set by the school.
Manicaland’s Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba said parents are free to buy uniforms from elsewhere other than the schools or specified suppliers.
“The Ministry’s position is very clear for government schools; they cannot fix a specific supplier of uniforms and must not have a monopoly. While they are allowed to produce and sell uniforms, they should let parents know of other sellers so that guardians can choose where to buy from at affordable prices. It is illegal to force parents to buy uniforms strictly from schools,” said Mr Shumba.
Mr Shumba said schools that defy this Government policy should be reported to the authorities so that corrective action is taken.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Edgar Moyo in March said it was illegal for schools to force parents or guardians to buy uniforms from schools in an open market after considering cost advantages.
This followed a public outcry that some schools were forcing parents to buy uniforms from them or specific suppliers.
Online Reporter