The Competition Tribunal’s ruling that schools can no longer force parents to buy their children’s school uniform at a specific supplier has been hailed a huge victory for poor parents and small businesses.

The tribunal this week said a consent agreement between uniform supplier McCullagh & Bothwell and the Competition Commission formed part of efforts to increase competition, and ensure cheaper prices in the school uniforms market.

A Cape Argus report says the agreement follows the commission’s investigation into several schools and school uniform manufacturers and suppliers for possible contraventions of the Competition Act, following complaints in 2017.

Tribunal spokesperson Gillian de Gouveia said: ‘The commission’s investigation found that exclusive supply agreements of a long duration enable school uniform suppliers to charge customers higher prices and prevent other potential suppliers from entering the market and competing for customers.’

Parents for Equal Education SA founder Vanessa le Roux said: ‘As a parent and member of a struggling community where unemployment is on the rise, I definitely welcome this decision. From a community standpoint, this decision is an opportunity for job creation.’

Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer’s spokesperson said school uniforms need to be agreed by the school governing body, taking into account the communities they served.

‘Schools must adhere to the requirements of the tribunal in this regard. Preferably school uniforms should be as generic as possible so they are obtainable from many suppliers.’ She said the department had issued a circular to schools for them to comply with the tribunal’s ruling.

Full Cape Argus report