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Jersey's Education Minister has pledged to work to make school uniforms more affordable after a market study highlighted the cost pressures on parents and guardians.
Jersey's competition watchdog - the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority - opened a review of the school uniform market in December amid concerns about affordability.
One of the most extensive studies the JCRA has ever undertaken, the resulting report found that the value of the school uniform market was estimated at £1.6m and that many stakeholders saw social and safeguarding advantages to having school uniforms, and that school uniforms can alleviate certain social pressures.
However, the study also found that a high proportion of school wear items are branded and compulsory, and therefore can impose additional cost on parents.
The report noted that "it is not uncommon for the number of [branded] items to be greater than 40% of the total number of listed school uniform items."
The report also noted that the school uniform market is restricted to only three main retailers, leading to parents having reduced choice when buying uniforms.
Pictured: The value of the school uniform market was estimated at £1.6m.
The report recommended that the Government of Jersey should consider policy in other places, including the UK, and that schools should conduct regular reviews of all contracts and supply arrangements for uniforms.
It also recommended that JCRA should develop more specific guidance on the design and operation of competitive tenders for school uniforms.
The report comes after yesterday's news that Jersey's inflation rate remains at a historic high of 12.7%, with prices in clothing and footwear increasing at 5.5%.
In response to the study, the Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner said: “School uniforms provide pupils with a sense of community and identity and act as a social equaliser... However, I’ve been concerned about cost and committed to reducing it since coming into office last year."
Pictured: The Minister has written to headteachers following a market study by the JCRA.
She continued: “I have written to all headteachers today to ask for their support and suggestions in how we can develop guidance to make sure that school uniforms are competitively priced.
"I’d like to thank the JCRA for this study, which gives us a good factual background that we can build on.”
The study is available to view HERE.
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