The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has warned education institutions and their associations against coordinating tuition fee increases, saying the practice could violate Malawi’s competition laws.

CFTC spokesperson Innocent Helema said the Commission has received reports that some associations are consulting members on plans to raise tuition and other education-related fees, citing financial pressures.

Helema said while individual schools, colleges and universities are free to review their fees based on their operational costs, any collective agreement or coordinated approach to setting or recommending fee increases amounts to anti-competitive conduct prohibited under the Competition and Fair Trading Act.

He further urged education institutions to exercise restraint when adjusting fees to avoid excessive pricing.

The Commission has warned that it will institute formal investigations against any association or institution found engaging in collusive or excessive pricing, adding that offenders risk severe penalties under the Competition and Fair Trading Act.

(Reporter: Aspolo Mousah, Lilongwe)