The Consumer Council is expected to meet with the Education Ministry regarding the request by the Ministry for all parents to abide by schools' preferred traders.

In a statement over the weekend, Education Minister Filipe Bole said they support schools striving to instill uniformity in school adding that schools may recommend traders, which supply uniforms, school stationery and other educational materials.

He said this not only lightens their burden in search of uniforms and school supplies but more importantly, it is one way of maintaining standards in schools.

When contacted, Consumer Council CEO Premila Kumar said they would want to have a meeting with the Education Ministry before commenting on the matter.

The Consumer Council had earlier warned schools not to instruct students and parents to buy uniforms, shoes and stationery from certain businesses only, as it's called exclusive dealing which is prohibited under the Fair Trading Decree.