State school uniform costs dropped by about 10 per cent and will remain unchanged for the next five years, the Education Ministry announced yesterday.

Yorkie Clothing Ltd has won a government-issued tender to sell the uniforms following a public call.

Parents will save between €11 and €25, depending on the college

In line with the contract conditions, parents will save between €11 and €25 when buying uniforms, depending on the college their children attend.

State schools fall under 10 different colleges and each has its own uniform, so prices vary slightly due to the different fabrics and colours used.

In May, the government announced that uniforms would remain unchanged after more than two thirds of parents who answered a questionnaire said they wanted to retain the current outfits.

However, they complained about the cost and quality, so the government negotiated lower prices and an improvement in the fabric used by the contractor.

The ministry stressed that the arrangement applied to State schools only and parents who wished to buy their children’s uniforms from another outlet were free to do so, so long as the specifications were observed.

The full price list for uniforms for all colleges can be viewed at www.education.gov.mt.