Consumer education is a right. It is, in fact, one of the eight basic rights consumers have recognised internationally. Consumers need to be aware that they have rights and responsibilities when shopping.
They need to have enough knowledge and information about their rights to make informed decisions when buying products or services, getting the best value for their money.
Consumer education is given a lot of importance. In fact, one of the three directorates under the Office for Consumer Affairs at the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority is focused on information, education and research.
This directorate recently launched a consultation process to identify, through the participation of stakeholders as well as interested parties, the direction that needs to be followed in the preparation of a final National Strategy for Consumer Education.
The need to have a national strategy for consumer education emerges from the report issued in 2009 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which pointed out that consumer education objectives and strategies are not well defined in most countries.
A national strategy for consumer education will view the provision of such education as a lifelong process. Consumer education should begin at an early age and cover all life stages. It should be incorporated in school curriculums and in educational programmes for lifelong learning.
The Directorate for Information, Education and Research has, in fact, worked to ensure that consumer education is tackled directly and indirectly at both primary and secondary levels.
Furthermore, officials from this directorate regularly take part in various TV and radio programmes, disseminating information on consumer laws and answering queries from the public. Officers also deliver talks and presentations on consumer rights whenever requested. In 2011, a consumer magazine, L-Għażla, started to be published and distributed to all households.
Consumers do not only need information to make the right buying decisions but are also responsible for choices they make. Consumers need to be educated to make choices that meet their needs while at the same time keeping in mind the short-term and long-term impact of their choices on themselves and others.
The consultation process on the national strategy for consumer education invites interested parties from the public and private sectors to submit their views on what should be the policies and objectives.
The consultation document calls for feedback on what areas of consumer education should be covered.
This document also asks interested parties whether they feel there is need for a consumer education framework that would ensure that consumer education is taught in an adequate and timely manner, from an early age right through to Form 5.
Other questions submitted for feedback include whether or not consumer education should be a lifelong learning process; whether it is given its due importance in political agendas; and how it could be taught in schools.
The consultation document may be viewed on the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority website www.mccaa.org.mt under ‘Consultations’.
Anyone interested in consumer education may submit their feedback and views.
Any replies, suggestions and comments should be submitted by letter or e-mail by September 30 to: The Director, Information, Education, and Research, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Mizzi House, Blata l-Bajda HMR 9010.
info@mccaa.org.mt
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Ms Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.