Stationery headaches for many parents

In the next few days, every stationery isle will be packed with parents doing last-minute stationery shopping as schools reopen next week.

On average, stationery lists cost parents in the region of between R500 to R800, excluding new school uniforms.

Stationery lists include things such as hardcover books, exercise books, sketch books, scientific calculators, mathematics sets, pencils, crayons, exam pads, dictionaries and more.

According to research by the Old Mutual Group, putting a child through the public school system in 2023 cost roughly R651 313, with private schooling costing R1 901 549 on average.

Public primary school fees were around R24 408 a year, and private primary schools cost around R71 496. A government high school cost approximately R36 072 per year and a private high school cost around R105 084.

Annual increases add to the financial burden. Overall, education was 6.3% more expensive in 2024 than in 2023, according to Statistics South Africa. This exceeded the 5.7% annual increase in 2023 and remained the highest since 2020, when the rate was 6.4%.

Single mother of three, Rasheeda Bassardien from Woodstock, said every year new items of stationery are added by schools and also highlighted “unnecessary” items that are added.

“There are two things that irritate me every year; it’s the box of paper and the toilet paper. We have to pay school fees, one would think the school can at least afford paper and toilet paper with that,” she said.

“Those toilet rolls then get used in the staff bathrooms, so why can’t the teachers also bring toilet rolls?”

Ms Bassardien struggles every year with stationery and dreads the thought.

“I have no issues when it comes to their schooling, but as a single parent, can you imagine going out there trying to get all your kids their things but as you pack your trolley you know there are things that will have to be removed because you don’t have enough money,” she said.

Another concerned parent from Observatory, Samantha Collins, has a son going to Grade 4 and the family had to change their festive plans to accommodate certain priorities, among them getting the required stationery items.

Their family was supposed to go on a holiday last month, but Ms Collins received news that they would not receive any bonuses at work, halting their holiday plans.

“Although everybody was sad, we understood what is more important but at the same time, it was really sad for us because you work so hard towards the festive [season],” she said.

She believes schools can also be a bit more considerate, as many parents are forced to waste money on things children do not seem to need.

“We buy the things because they are right at the top of the list but then when you visit the parent-teacher meetings you see the stuff still closed and in the packaging – that very thing I stressed about and paid so much for,” said Ms Collins.

She also could not understand why schools could not provide items such as toilet paper, printing paper and even play dough.

“These are things that get used every day, but the parents must send this to school and we must pay for school fees. Even the dough, it costs you so little to make a big batch of dough at school and let the kids use that,” she said.

“Let the kids do it, give them the task of making dough to play. It saves everybody time and money.”

Meanwhile, stationery list frustrations went viral on social media, with pictures being posted of parents staring at the price of stationery or comparing whether to buy bread or a pencil.

“How did stationery become so expensive? A 50c pencil is now R10 and then the child enters the classroom and the pencil breaks, they throw it away,” one parent wrote.

“These stationery lists are the end of me. Why are there so many items on here that our children will not even get to use? It’s money we have to cough up to make the school look good,” the parent wrote.

Anwar Jakoet from the Anwar Jakoet Foundation (AJF), which works in communities across the province, said they have assisted many early childhood development (ECD) centre learners, as stationery lists of essentials were extensive.

The foundation focused mainly on assisting development centres, not primary and high school schools.

“The ECD stationery is totally different from those of primary schools. We call it an ECD starter box, the first layer includes pencil crayons, everything for children under 5. The second layer includes different types of balls, for motor skills, the third layer includes puzzles, the fourth layer would be soft toys. These things are very expensive, we go where the need is greatest,” said Mr Jakoet.

They provide about 90 ECDs throughout the broader Western Cape with ECD starter boxes containing the basic stationary requirements for children under the age of 6 years old.

Sarah Nicholson, operations manager of JustMoney.co.za, a platform that helps South Africans make good money choices, said planning, prioritising, and creativity can help you start the school year right, and set your child up to succeed, without breaking the bank. She has the following tips:

Practical tips to lighten the load

• Plan ahead. Write down everything your child needs and make essentials a priority to avoid unnecessary expenses.

• Compare prices. Shop around for school supplies and take advantage of deals, discounts, and loyalty programmes.

• Check second-hand stores and online platforms. Search for books, uniforms, and sports equipment that are still in good condition. If your child has outgrown school uniforms and other necessities, sell or swap these items.

• Label everything. Personalise school supplies and uniforms to reduce the risk of items getting lost or stolen.

• Assess technology needs. Source from outlets offering learner discounts, or consider a bulk buy with other parents. Avoid over-investing in tech your child doesn’t need immediately, as devices rapidly become outdated.

• Keep receipts. Track every school-related expense. Knowing where your money goes will help you budget accurately.

• Budget for fees. Many schools offer options to spread payments over the year, which can ease financial strain. Investigate bursaries, scholarships, or fee exemptions offered by the school or local organisations.

• Assess extra-curricular activities. Choose activities wisely and limit participation to what suits your budget.

• Monitor subscriptions. If your child has been using educational apps or tools, evaluate their usefulness and cancel subscriptions that no longer add value.

• Use free resources. Explore online platforms for educational materials and support, instead of spending money on costly learning tools.

• Communicate with teachers. Reach out early to discuss any specific requirements or additional help you may need for your child. This will allow you to factor in costs for extra lessons or counselling.

• Save on transport. Consider carpooling with other parents or investigating more affordable – but safe – private or public transport.

• Organise lunch boxes. Plan simple, nutritious meals at home rather than relying on tuck-shop items. Buy food in bulk and prepare snacks in advance.

• Set up a savings fund. Start a small, recurring savings plan for future school costs. A small amount saved each month will reduce pressure next year.

• Plan for emergencies. Set aside a little extra for unexpected costs such as last-minute projects or sports equipment. This will help you avoid dipping into your monthly budget.

“Being organised, exploring cost-saving options, and seeking support where needed will set your family up for a smoother start to the school year. Remember, small steps can make a big difference,” said Ms Nicholson.

“A solid financial footing sets the foundation for success, for both parents and learners. A little planning today can create lasting peace of mind throughout the year.”