Watchdog: Parents paying too much for crested school uniforms

Vivienne Clarke

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) spokesperson Gráinne Griffin has called on parents to contact schools and let them know that they want alternatives to branded or crested school uniforms.

The consumer watchdog has been monitoring the issue following a survey last year, which indicated that 84 per cent of parents support school uniforms, but one third felt they were not good value.

Griffin told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that the CCPC would encourage parents to contact their school’s board of management and ask for alternatives to expensive crested uniforms.

There had been a mixed response from schools, with some principals and boards of management showing leadership and making changes, she said.

“We will continue to highlight parents' voices in this debate. But also contact your board of management. Let them know that you want alternatives. Let them know that you want generic items or competition in the market. And ask them to take action to reduce the cost on you.”

While some schools were changing, the CCPC had heard from parents who said the situation was getting worse, and in one case, a school had introduced a crested PE uniform.

“It's very, very clear. Parents are just paying too much. They're still being forced to go to exclusive suppliers with no choice. There's a lack of competition in the market as a result, and we need to see change.”