The reason the government is against this idea of buying uniforms in specific stores is that you're likely to realise the stores are owned by either a board member or even the school head.
For example, a school called St Paul's advises you can get samples of uniforms at different outlets at different prices. You are not being forced to buy a uniform at one particular price because none of the others have been given the logos.
So that's what this prohibition is trying to remedy, that issue of single-sourcing; you know the problem with this process.
You know, how the tendering process goes, so sometimes when they don't tender, they direct parents where to go and buy.
And then schools that tender have to process the paperwork and everything.They tend to have the uniform in school so parents will go to the school then procure a supplier, then the school will pay later, the parent doesn't pay directly.
That tends to be a more transparent process than this one directing parents to specific stores. No.
So that lack of transparency has been a burning issue, and it's not the first time an attempt is being made, sort of
What that does is it opens the door to many players and when we have many players, the prices are will come down.
It makes sense to have a schools complex, that one is actually a good thing because then this is Westlands School and it will even grow to a full JSS if it has land.
The JSS students will also feel like they are in a new place, a different school that has something coming up.
Writer is member of CBC task force and former chairperson, Private School Heads Association
(Edited by V. Graham)