NEWS | Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Honeymoon for school suppliers may soon be over

As complaints from parents of school children pressed Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, the Office of Fair competition was Monday ordered to launch an inquiry into the market of school uniforms, books and stationery.
“Almost all students of Government schools, Church schools and Independent schools in Malta and Gozo are obliged to wear a uniform of some description and are sometimes expected to order their uniform, books and stationery according to a specified list or from a specified retailer,” Fenech told the press.
The office of Fair competition, on its part will be approaching a total of 159 schools, of which 105 state schools, 36 church schools and 18 private or independent. The inquiry shall also include parents, so as to better deduce whether the market allows choice on where to purchase school supplies.
“It (the inquiry) will ascertain whether exclusive contracts between school and retailers have a detrimental effect on prices paid as well as the quality and value of the school uniform, book or stationery bought and whether they offer any benefits to the schools concerned,” a spokesperson for the ministry said.
Should anyone wish to provide any information on this market or wishes to participate in this exercise may obtain a copy of the OFC’s questionnaire by kindly contacting Ms Louise Sammut on [email protected] or Dr Clare Zammit on [email protected]. The questionnaire may also be downloaded from the Ministry’s website www.finance.gov.mt