SCHOOL uniform and stationery prices have been caught up in
the recent price frenzy that has hit the country with parents sounding alarm
bells at the punitive prices as they prepare for the beginning of the 2018
school term.
The price increases have put pressure on most parents
dampening their festive mood which is traditionally associated with spending
sprees and partying while incessant calls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for
price reductions have not been heeded to.
The development comes at a time when the Ministry of
Primary and Secondary Education has also banned schools from forcing parents to
buy school uniforms from them.
A snap survey by Sunday News last week showed that some of
the leading retailers in Bulawayo had increased prices of school uniforms by between
40 and 50 percent.
Parents who were interviewed expressed concern at the
increases appealing to the Government to intervene.
A full set of uniform for a Grade One pupil costs an
average of $120.
School shoes now cost $20 up from $16, a satchel $15 up
from $11, shirt and short $24 from $14 (dress $18 up from $15), blazer $41 up
from $30, hat $11 up from $6, socks $4 up from $3 and tie $9 up from $5.
A set of uniform for a child enrolling for Form One costs
an average of $130 for boys and $124 for girls.
The shirt and short now cost $25 up from $18, (dress $24 up
from $18) jersey $22 up from $15, ankle socks $3, (boys socks $4 up from $3)
shoes $21 up from $16, satchel $15 up from $11 and tie $9 up from $5.
Some parents said they were now resorting to individual
tailors who sell school uniforms at reasonable prices, albeit the uniforms in
some instances are of low quality.
“Retailers are just being greedy. There is nothing that can
justify the price increases.
“The prices being charged by retailers are forcing us to
resort to individual tailors, who, however, make low quality uniforms. We have
few options,” said Mrs Princes Mthethwa.
Mr Michael Sibanda said retailers were taking advantage of
the increased demand for uniforms to make a quick profit.
He appealed to the Government to come to the aid of
parents.
“Prices were much lower just recently in December.
Retailers are simply taking advantage of the high demand for uniforms as
everyone is now running around preparing for schools opening.
“I feel the Government needs to step in and engage these
retailers to normalise the situation. It’s not only applying to school uniforms
but across all products,” said Mr Sibanda.
Mrs Sibonginkosi Ngwenya concurred, “We are being ripped
off by retailers. All these uniforms are locally made, none are imported. So
what justification do these retailers have to increase prices?”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
has said schools should not force parents to buy uniforms exclusively from
them.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education Dr Sylvia-Utete Masango said parents should be allowed to
buy uniforms from outlets of their choice where they can afford.
She said schools should simply direct parents on the right
colour codes of their uniforms.
“We have since sent a communiqué to schools directing them
not to force parents to buy uniforms from the school.
“Schools should just prescribe their requirements on colour
codes, shades among other specifications.
“They can’t make it mandatory for parents to buy uniforms
from the school. Parents should be allowed to buy from retailers of their
choice,” she said.
Some schools include the cost of uniforms on the overall
school fees for newly enrolled pupils, often profiteering from the practice at
the expense of desperate parents.
In most cases schools charge more than retailers for the
school uniforms. Sunday News
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