Online Reporter
Your Money, Your Call
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba
LAST WEEK, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) released Grade Seven results, marking a major transition for thousands of learners who will now leave primary school and begin their secondary education next year.
For parents, this milestone comes with a familiar burden of buying entirely new uniforms. The same pressure applies to families enrolling children for early childhood development (ECD) and Grade One, where starting school also means having a new wardrobe — usually dictated by the school.
What should be a moment of pride and preparation has instead become a source of anxiety and frustration. At the heart of the issue is a system that forces families to buy uniforms from designated suppliers — often at inflated prices — while cheaper alternatives are readily available elsewhere.
In many cases, parents are not just encouraged but compelled to use specific outlets, with some schools embedding uniform costs directly into school fees. This practice often leaves families with no room to negotiate or opt for more affordable options, even when the financial burden is staggering.
“We are not against uniforms,” said one parent. We are against being told where to buy them and being charged double for the same item we can find downtown.”
The Competition and Tariff Commission has previously cautioned against such exclusive arrangements, stating that they limit consumer choice and may violate fair trade principles. Yet, despite these warnings, reports continue to surface of schools maintaining rigid supplier contracts, citing reasons such as quality control, branding and uniformity. For many families, the issue is not just about price — it is about principle.
Parents argue that schools should provide clear specifications for uniforms and allow them to source items from any vendor that meets those standards.
Instead, they feel boxed into a system that benefits a few at the expense of many.
In some schools, the situation is even more opaque.
Uniforms are included in the term’s invoice without itemised breakdowns, making it difficult for parents to know exactly what they are paying for.
Attempts to question or opt out are often met with resistance or veiled threats.
This has left many parents in a bind.
While some consider reporting the matter to the authorities, others fear that doing so could lead to subtle forms of retaliation against their children — being excluded from certain activities, singled out for minor infractions or simply made to feel unwelcome.
“It is a silent fear. You do not want to rock the boat because your child is the one who suffers,” said another parent.
Analysts say the issue reflects a broader trend of commercialisation in the education sector, where schools increasingly operate like businesses, monetising every aspect of the learning experience — from uniforms and textbooks to extra lessons and school trips.
“Uniforms are supposed to be a great equaliser,” noted one education consultant. But when they become a source of exclusion or financial strain, they lose their purpose.”
Some schools have taken a more progressive stance, offering parents a list of acceptable uniform specifications and allowing them to shop around. These institutions argue that competition among suppliers not only lowers prices but also improves quality and service.
Meanwhile, parents are finding creative ways to push back. Informal networks have sprung up on social media, where families share tips on affordable suppliers, organise bulk purchases and even swap used uniforms that are still in good condition.
These efforts reflect a growing determination to reclaim agency in a system that often feels stacked against them.
As the debate continues, there are renewed calls for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to issue clear, enforceable guidelines on uniform procurement.
Parents want transparency, fairness and the freedom to choose without fear of reprisal. At the end of the day, education should be about learning, not lining pockets. And no child should be made to feel less simply because their parent chose to spend wisely.
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing, sales and customer service consultant. For suggestions and training, contact her on [email protected] or +263712979461/0719978335/0772978335.
