LAHORE – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notices to 17 major private school systems over forced sale of logo-branded notebooks, workbooks, and uniforms to students, calling it a violation of the Competition Act.
CCP said students are being forced to purchase overpriced logo-branded products, which is considered conditional selling and violates the law.
The Commission’s inquiry revealed that many private schools have secret agreements with specific vendors, leading to the sale of logo-branded notebooks that are priced up to 280% higher than the market rate.
The CCP highlighted that this practice forces students into becoming “captive consumers,” unable to seek cheaper alternatives. The Commission pointed out that nearly 50% of the country’s students are enrolled in private schools, where parents are compelled to buy expensive products under the guise of guidelines, limiting their ability to purchase more affordable options from the open market.
CCP Issues Notices to These Schools
Among the schools issued show cause notices are Beaconhouse, Westminster, The City School, Headstart, LGS, Froebel’s, Roots International, Roots Millennium, KIPS, Allied Schools, Supernova, Dar-e-Arqam, STEP, United Charter, and Smart School.
The CCP stated that these private school systems run thousands of campuses nationwide, affecting millions of students and parents.
Parents are reportedly forced to accept the schools’ commercial decisions, with the schools misusing their market power.
Private schools have been given 14 days to submit a written response to the notices.
The Competition Commission has warned that it could impose a fine of up to Rs75 million on the schools involved in this practice.
