The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show-cause notices to 17 leading private schools for allegedly forcing students to buy school-logo notebooks, workbooks, and uniforms at inflated prices. The CCP has directed the schools to submit a written response within 14 days following an inquiry into the matter.
The investigation revealed that many schools abused their dominant market position by compelling parents to purchase logo-branded educational materials and uniforms, often at prices significantly higher than similar products in the open market. Some notebooks were reportedly up to 280 percent more expensive. The inquiry also found that several schools had undisclosed agreements with specific vendors, limiting competition and choice for parents.
Once students are admitted, the report noted, families become “captive consumers” as switching schools can be costly and logistically challenging. This leaves parents with little option but to comply with the school’s purchasing requirements. The CCP highlighted that approximately 50 percent of students in Pakistan attend private schools, which operate thousands of campuses nationwide, affecting millions of students, parents, and numerous small stationery and uniform vendors.
By labeling mandatory purchases as “guidelines,” schools restrict parents from sourcing affordable alternatives from the market. The CCP has declared these practices a violation of the Competition Act, emphasizing that private school systems are misusing their market power and creating a captive consumer base among students.