School uniforms quandary Prices likely to be reviewed upward again
PARENTS with pupils enrolling for Form One next year are already sweating over prices of school requirements with uniforms now costing more than fees that are charged by some boarding schools.
Although traditionally for parents with children who sat for Grade Seven examinations this year, the immediate concern is to wait for the results and secure places for Form One, it has emerged that another shocker is waiting as retailers have increased prices astronomically.
Officials at the retail shops said the prices were likely to be reviewed upwards again, towards December and January when demand is high.
A survey by Sunday News in Bulawayo revealed that as of last week a trunk cost $1 040, the same amount a teacher is taking home as salary per month. A set of uniform costs an average of $800 for boys and $600 for girls. School blazers now cost around $600 up from $150, shirts $110 up from $20, (dress $254 up from $30) plain skirts $115 up from $25, pleated skirts $176 up from $35.
The same applies to most requirements for those starting Grade One next year where some schools are demanding uniforms and other stationery that can gobble up to $1 000.
Parents said the Government should quickly intervene in the pricing of school uniforms among other goods.
The Government has maintained that it will not impose price controls but this has also given business the leeway to exert prices on hapless consumers.
Most parents said they are now resorting to small-scale tailors to buy school uniforms.
“Retailers are just being greedy. Uniforms now cost more than the school fees at some boarding schools and that is abnormal. We have no idea how we are going to manage.
“The prices being charged by retailers are forcing us to resort to individual tailors, who, however, make low quality uniforms and it forces us to buy every term,” said Mrs Michelle Zhou, a Bulawayo resident.
She added that some parents were facing a huge challenge as some schools demand that parents buy school uniforms from specific shops and as such are left with no option of buying from sprouting tailors.
Mr Mkhululi Dlodlo said retailers’ greediness was beyond comprehension especially at a time when most companies were struggling to raise salaries for their workers.
Prices of most basic goods and services have over the past months continued to go up beyond the affordability of the majority.