Probe into cost of school uniforms, books not concluded yet

The Labour Party said yesterday it was "shameful" that the investigation commissioned over five months ago by the government into the price of school uniforms, books, and stationery has not been completed yet.

Labour spokesman on education Evarist Bartolo said this meant parents would have to shoulder a heavier burden. In some cases, he said, prices had double and in others, tripled.

"The government's reluctance and insensitivity is leading to a great concern among parents who this year also saw school transport costs rise by 15 per cent," Mr Bartolo said.

School uniforms were originally introduced to remove the inequality felt by children hailing from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This "exaggeration" in prices and the order issued by schools for students to buy uniforms bearing logos and special labels from selected suppliers is creating problems for parents who must also cope with rising costs in other sectors.

Schools are asking parents to also buy sports clothes and accessories such as hats and caps for their children.

Parents of children at secondary schools could be expected to pay as much as €250 per child for uniforms. This was over and above the nearly €600 spent on text books, Mr Bartolo said.

Labour's consumer protection spokesman Silvio Parnis called on the government to conclude the investigation.