School transport fee probe likely to take longer than uniforms inquiry

The investigation by the Office of Fair Competition into claims of steep increases in school transport fees will take longer than the inquiry into the cost of school uniforms, The Times has learnt.

A spokesman for the Office of Fair Competition (OFC) said the transport fees investigation, launched at the end of last month, will take longer because there were many more service providers who had to be approached.

At the beginning of May, the OFC had launched an inquiry into exaggerated prices parents had to fork out for school uniforms. The office made its recommendations at the end of September, a few days after the beginning of the new scholastic year.

The inquiry was launched after parents complained that sometimes they are expected to order their uniform, books and stationery according to a specified list or from a specified retailer.

Among others, the OFC has recommended that, following a call for tenders, multiple establishments should be allowed to sell school uniforms. Furthermore, schools are to be advised to avoid complex designs in uniforms, cutting expenses and, ultimately, the price.

The OFC spokesman explained that, as part of its inquiry, the office was expected to approach 105 government schools, 36 Church schools and 18 independent schools and the parents whose children attend these schools to find out whether the market allows choice on where to purchase a uniform, books or stationery.

The OFC had to ascertain whether exclusive contracts between school and retailers had an effect on prices paid and the quality and value of the school uniform, books or stationery bought and whether they offered any benefits to the schools in question.

The spokesman said the office sent out more than 1,400 questionnaires to parents and about 140 schools and had a positive feedback with a response rate of over 80 per cent.

It took the office a lot of time to input the data received and to meet retailers and manufacturers. Following an analysis of the outcome, the OFC determined other aspects that also had to be looked into and is now in talks with the Education Division so that guidelines could be issued on the matter.

Asked why the office had not published the full report on the outcome of the inquiry, the spokesman said the office felt it was the best way forward in view of the livelihood of the people involved and also because the matter was still under scrutiny.

Following the conclusion of the school uniforms inquiry, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had asked the OFC to investigate complaints of steep increases in school transport fees.

Transport operators have argued that prices have had to rise because of higher diesel costs and a requirement that all schoolchildren use a seat belt, meaning that small children cannot share seats. Some van owners said they had to actually fit seat belts.

The OFC spokesman said the office had set no timeframe by when this investigation was to be concluded, adding that this would involve more people than the inquiry on school uniforms and would therefore take more time to conclude. The office has to investigate allegations of collusion in the school transport market.