Back-to-school expenses are forcing many families to take out loans and delay household bill payments. A new survey shows that the cost of uniforms and technology has outpaced what many parents can afford to pay out of pocket.
Expensive clothing and technology demands
According to charity Barnardos, less than one in ten parents of secondary school students (9%) and 30% of primary school parents found school uniform options to be affordable this year. The cost burden falls heavily on families with older children, with an average uniform cost of €203 for secondary school students compared to €118 for primary students.
An increasing number of parents must purchase mandatory laptops, tablets, or other devices for their children. One parent expressed frustration with the price of these required items.
“Being asked to pay €850 for a compulsory tablet is disgraceful when people are struggling to pay their electricity bill and put food on the table,”
Four out of five primary school parents (79%) and 94% of secondary school parents reported that their children must wear crested or branded uniforms and cannot buy cheaper generic alternatives.
Families dipping into savings and credit
To cover these rising costs, families are turning to various financial resources. Over a quarter of secondary school parents (27%) and 21% of primary school parents use personal savings to pay for back-to-school expenses. A significant number are also relying on credit, with 15% of secondary school parents and 9% of primary school parents taking out loans or borrowing money.
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One parent described the financial strain on their family plans.
“We have forfeited going on a family holiday this year due to the extra costs; next year will be the same as we have to buy the laptop for our other child,”
Nearly one in five of the 704 parents surveyed expressed high concern regarding back-to-school expenses, with 6% of secondary school parents admitting they would not be able to meet the costs.
When parents cannot cover these bills through savings or credit, the immediate practical effect is that they must make difficult trade-offs within their household budgets. The financial pressure often extends beyond the school supplies list, forcing families to forgo discretionary spending or essential services like electricity to prioritize their children’s education requirements.
Government response to rising costs
A Department of Education spokesman noted that the Government has increased school capitation funding and expanded the free schoolbooks scheme in recent years. The department intends to issue stronger guidance to schools regarding the reduction of uniform costs. The spokesman also clarified that there is no department requirement for students to own personal digital devices.
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