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Ministry of Economy and Commerce carries out inspection campaigns targeting bookshops and stores specialized in the sale of school supplies 
 
Ministry also provides back-to-school tips
 
As the academic year kicks off, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce carried out inspection campaigns targeting a number of bookshops and stores specialized in the sale of school supplies, in a bid to monitor the compliance of suppliers (shops) with their obligations under law No. 8 of 2008 on Consumer Protection.
 
The inspection campaigns fall within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to regulate and monitor markets and commercial activities as well as to crack down on price manipulation and uncover violations in a bid to protect consumer rights.
 
 
The campaigns resulted in 4 penalties for failing to comply with licenses, increasing product prices without obtaining approval, offering unlicensed promotions and announcing unlicensed discounts.
 
Violations of Law No. (8) Of 2008 on Consumer Protection can result in administrative closure and financial penalties ranging between QR 3,000 to 1 million Qatari riyals.
 
 
The ministry stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of Consumer Protection Law number 8 of 2008 and its regulations and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities, who will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
 
 
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce also provided awareness and guidance tips at the start of the back-to-school season. Preparedness and pre-planning through savings represent a key shopping skill to avoid large and sudden financial burdens, particularly since the back-to-school season follows a series of events that drain family budgets. This year, the back- to-school season follows Ramadan, the holiday season and the summer vacation. Families can start preparing for the back-to-school season by establishing a school portfolio that it is funded by saving part of the monthly salary for school expenses.
 
Factors to consider when preparing for school
 
The Ministry noted that expenses associated with education are divided into two categories. The first category includes school fees, the ministry said, noting that a series of factors must be taken into account when preparing for the academic year. Theses include preparing a list summarizing the tuition fees while taking into account fees owed by the family after deducting educational vouchers as well as preparing a list of additional fees and costs associated with each school in addition to comparing governmental and private schools on the basis of quality, costs and privileges.
 
The second category of expenditures includes expenses related to school purchases, such as spending on stationery that students may need throughout the year.
 
 
Steps to manage school purchases
 
The Ministry provides tips on how parents can limit spending on stationery supplies by making purchases at major outlets where prices are lower; buying basic stationery such as pencils and notebooks from wholesale suppliers; sharing stationery that student do not use on a daily basis such as the geometric tools in addition to instilling a culture of savings among children, encouraging students  to preserve necessary school supplies and making pre-purchases in anticipation of any increase in prices.
 
These tips fall within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to educate the community on various life aspects and help them make appropriate decisions.
 
The ministry urges all consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the following channels:
 
– Call Centre: 16001
– Email: info@mec.gov.qa
– The accounts of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on social networks
         – Twitter MEC_QATAR
         – Instagram MEC_QATAR
– The application of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce on iPhone and Android devices MEC_QATAR