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Media Statement: Competition Commission and SGBs MOU on school uniform


Thursday 4 March 2021

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) commends the Competition Commission and various School Governing Bodies (SGBs) on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on school uniform prices and the procurement thereof on Monday, 01 March 2021. By signing the MOU, the SGBs concerned undertook to inter alia abide by the Undertaking on Best Practice Principles of Procurement which encourages school uniforms to be as generic as possible, enabling parents to have wider options from a number of suppliers. The SGBs also undertook to encourage their affiliates to appoint exclusive suppliers only after a competitive bidding process.

The Commission shares the sentiments of Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele, of the Competition Commission, that school uniforms are central to social cohesion, inclusivity and school identity. The Commission has long held that affordable school uniform is a social equaliser, enabling children to ‘fit in’ and to access education without having to compete with children from more affluent backgrounds in terms of the clothes they wear. Further, the Commission is encouraged that this agreement will mitigate the costs to access education, enabling parents to further invest in the future of their children

The Commission will continue to work with parents and other institutions to ensure that the right to basic education is immediately realisable.

Ends
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

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