Coming to terms with back-to-school costs

School costs for a child to attend primary school have risen by €507 in just four years, jumping from €967 in 2012 to €1,474 this year. Figures from the Irish League of Credit Unions, which has been tracking the spend for the past four years show that, despite school book initiatives, supermarket retailers selling uniforms and access to e-books, there is no escaping these significant costs.

In fact, back-to-school costs have a negative impact on 26% of households’ bill payments, with 13% of parents saying they will have to sacrifice spending on food. A further 67% have also forgone family holidays or summer camps to cover the costs.

What is most worrying, however, is that these costs are putting some parents into debt. Of the parents who are opting for a loan, 51% are borrowing at least €300, with 21% borrowing €500 or more.

A reader of Irish Country Living who preferred to remain anonymous says: “I do have to borrow some money in August to foot the back-to-school bill. I usually pay it back over three months, so it is cleared by Christmas.

“However, with two children in primary school, it comes too close to our family holiday to be able to afford everything. Some people may argue that we shouldn’t have a family holiday and prioritise these school costs. However, our kids are only young once and we want those memories with them on the beach in Wexford for a week. Next January, though, I am determined to put away €50 a month towards September costs.”

Uniforms

Uniforms continue to be a contentious issue and 75% of parents believe that Irish schools do not support parents enough in keeping costs down, according to the League of Credit Unions.

Over 1,500 parents also participated in Barnardos School Costs Survey and June Tinsley, head of advocacy told Irish Country Living, that when reviewing the findings, the injustice of different schools setting vastly different parameters really came to the fore. This isn’t just limited to uniforms, but school book schemes as well.

June says: “Too many (parents) face crippling costs for fully crested uniforms, lengthy book lists and a huge lists of ‘extras’, including payments for stationery, arts materials, photocopying and school tours.

“For example, one parent told us: ‘Our school, in a disadvantaged area, recently introduced a crested jacket which all parents are “encouraged” to buy and is the only jacket allowed to be worn in the school.’

“And this from another: ‘Voluntary contributions should be exactly that: voluntary. The schools send out repeated letters stating how much each family has to pay, and pressurise parents to pay. My son’s class was told to bring in hand sanitiser and washcloths, as there was no soap available for the year in the boy’s toilet. So where do the voluntary contributions go if not toward basic necessities such as soap?!’

“The Government has already pledged to increase education spending by €500 million by 2021, and we want to see this spent efficiently and effectively to reduce the burden on parents. It is the Government’s responsibility to adequately fund education – not parents’,” says June.

Mummypages.ie which also runs back-to-school research, says parents think more onus needs to be made on schools. They suggest that, to ease the burden, school boards of management should consider a phased payment system throughout the year to incorporate the voluntary contribution, schools books and book rental scheme fees.

Shopping Online

In the meantime, though, it is up to parents to budget. So what can you do to cut costs? One trend that is on the increase is shopping online.

While 60% of people find it cheaper, 34% also believe it is more convenient.

Maria Walsh from Carrigaline in Cork has three children in primary school as well as a toddler and says: “I always remember those days queuing in the heat at a second-hand bookshop off Washington Street with my mother. I’m sure I had her heart broken waiting impatiently.

“Now, as a mother, I get a lot of stuff online. Stationery, lunch boxes, copy books and some school books – are all delivered straight to the door. It allows me to really shop around and find the best deals in the evening, when the kids are asleep.

“Of course, I have to go into the city to get their school shoes and uniforms, but the trip is far less stressful. Plus I figure what I am spending on online delivery charges, I am saving on petrol and headache tablets.” CL