COUNTING THE COST - Parents fork out for new school year

THE holidays are over en dis tyd vir kop krap as parents are gearing up for the new school year.

Starting a new schooling adventure is a daunting experience for some parents, especially if your child is starting high school or primary school which means new school, new uniform, a new stationery list, a new set of everything... en alles kos net geld.

In no-fees government schools, costs are relatively low to cater for poorer communities. 

But in other government school models, some families are looking at R6 000 at the start of primary school, while going to high school could see the cost rise to R10 000.

Apart from the school fees, stationery and uniforms take up the bulk of the expense. Stationery packs average at around R1 000, with high school mathematics equipment like scientific calculators starting from R150.

Uniforms range from R400 for a couple of pieces to R4 000 to cover for a full week. 

On Wednesday morning as mom Shameema Brown will be sending her one and only six-year-old son to start Grade 1, he is not only starting his first day in school but will also get his first-ever haircut.

Of the schooling requirements, Brown told the Daily Voice: “The school gave us the stationery list in November already and it was all pretty straightforward. We ordered his stationery through the school which cost roughly R1 200. 

“His school uniform was a bit more expensive because I doubled up on everything and bought two of each because he is really bad with clothing and for him to grow into. For the shorts, golf shirt and a tracksuit, it cost us around R4 000. 

“Our plan was to buy all his school supplies last year already and get it out of the way because I know how January is and I did not want to stress about school uniform and fees. 

“We did it all in November before Christmas.”

Single mom, Judine Dean from Eerste River, is going through her third rodeo and sending her third-born daughter to high school. 

She played it smart and bought all the school supplies in December.

Judine said: “I paid R1 500 for her school supplies which includes her school jersey, school shoes, school tie and so on. 

“I bought my daughter’s stationery in December to lower the stress and it’s cheaper when buying beforehand. It usually depends on when you are buying the stationery but it’s usually expensive, especially Pritt of any brand. 

“Part of the stationery list includes toilet paper, copy paper and I don’t know why, but hand towels are the most unnecessary thing they want.”

Cruising nicely is Croset Davids from Elsies River who said sy is uitgesort as her daughter will be receiving all her stationery at the school and also inherited her school uniform from a relative who matriculated from the same school.

Croset said: “We did not receive a stationery list. The new Grade 8s are getting their stationery at school, but after that we need to purchase their stationery. 

“We are not sure what the stationery box will have, we will see if alles is in there when school starts. I only need to fork out money for her school skirt, socks and shirts because she got school uniform from a family member. 

“I did not have any sukkel worrying about school supplies.”

Ouma Vanessa Arendse from Delft said the process has been a bit stressful as her granddaughter, who is starting Grade 8 at an all-girls school in Elsies River, is having a dress made, as the school uniforms are all sold out.

The granny said: “Thankfully we do have a lady who is making a dress for my granddaughter exactly like the school dress. It will cost R400 and I am a pensioner. 

“Her father is covering her stationery, which is a lot. Luckily the dressmaker had another school dress which she is altering for me for R100, we just need to get a shirt. My granddaughter will be starting school with two dresses. 

“Otherwise, I am coping and she is very excited. My friend has a daughter who is also at the same school, so she has a lift who will drop and pick her up in front of our door, so I am not worried about transport.”