DOHA: The Supreme Education Council (SEC) has banned all private schools and kindergartens from getting involved in the sale and distribution of school uniforms.
The ban goes beyond preventing schools from selling uniforms in their premises. They cannot have tie ups with specific shops or suppliers dealing in uniforms with an intention to make financial gains or promote their business interests.
SEC has issued a circular to all the private schools and kindergartens asking them to give full freedom to students and parents in the purchase of uniforms. Parents should be free to buy uniforms from any source they prefer. The school’s role is limited to prescribing the colour and design and providing the school logo to be fixed on the garments.
The circular is in line with a directive issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce last year to end all types of monopolistic practices in this sector.
The move apparently is intended to break an existing nexus between some schools and business outlets in the sale of school uniforms.
The Ministry had earlier asked the SEC to take the necessary steps to implement the decision. Both the schools and the shops have been asked to stop such practices, saying it is a clear violation of the Law No (19) of 2006 on protection of competition and prevention of monopoly. The decision will be in force from the current (2014-2015) academic year, according to the circular.
The SEC circular categorically stated that schools and kindergartens should not have any financial interests related to uniforms. They can neither sell the uniform in their campus nor ask the students/parents to buy it from any particular place or shop.
The school should also choose uniforms with common colours that are easily available in the market. They cannot prescribe complicated shades or special quality material for the uniform forcing parents to buy it from exclusive dealers. The school logo should be made available separately to be fixed on the uniform.
Sources from several private schools confirmed that they have received the SEC circular. Most schools have stopped selling school uniforms in their premises as per guidelines issued by the SEC earlier, but allegedly have direct or indirect involvement in this business.
Uniforms of some schools are available at exclusive shops set up outside their premises. Although in theory students are free to buy them from anywhere they choose, they may not be available in other places. Parents would end up with more expenses if they look for other options.
Some schools allegedly have gone for specific brands and made tie ups with leading manufactures to provide the clothes. Although the schools are required to provide the logo separate, they come printed on the uniforms in some cases. The SEC directive is expected to stop such practices.
Following complaints about the involvement of some Independent schools in the sale of uniforms, SEC had issued similar guidelines to all Independent schools. Private schools and kindergartens have now been asked to fall in line.
Parents also expect that the SEC will step in to regulate the sale of textiles.
The Peninsula
