With the year drawing to a close, children will be looking forward to the next school year.
For parents and guardians the next level of schooling for their children comes at a cost. New Grade 1s are expected to be dressed in full uniform, with all school books and school bags in tow. A cost estimate for a full Grade 1 uniform kit and stationery from two main suppliers of uniforms and stationery for Alex schools shows a marginal difference.
Depending on choice of supplier, the estimates for boys’ uniforms which includes two pairs of pants, two shirts, tie, socks, jersey, track suit, T-shirt and shoes costs R650 at one of the supplier’s or R710 at the other. The girls’ uniform which includes two sleeveless tunics, two sleeveless shirts, belt, jersey, tie, track suit and school shoes costs R520 or R750.
The cost estimate for stationary which includes a memo book, flip file, crayons, pencils, sharpener, eraser, chair bag, glue, polish, toilet paper, photocopying paper, labels, exercise book covers, exercise books, and quad books is R260 or R290 inclusive of Vat. The same items are more expensive for private and former model C schools. One of the suppliers for regional private schools gave a cost of R1 226 for a boy’s full uniform kit and R1 562 for a girl. Their cost for stationery was R300.
All suppliers indicated the were already stocked for the big day so as not to disappoint anyone. Parents who have been through the buying process in the past advised that first-time buyers purchase everything from one supplier to avoid unnecessary expenses and inconvenience of running around comparing prices.
A parent, Steven Maimela who went through this process years back said this would assist parents in avoiding buying items not permitted by the schools and to avoid incurring additional costs for handling fees if they have to return the items.
