A new survey reveals that parents are resorting to drastic measures – dipping into savings, incurring debt, and neglecting energy bills – to cover the escalating costs of sending their children back to school this September.
The annual Back to School survey, conducted by children’s charity Barnardos, highlights that over half of parents are concerned about affording back-to-school expenses this year. Uniform costs, voluntary contributions, and the increasing price of digital devices are primary concerns.
This information is released ahead of the Government’s upcoming Budget, where broad universal support for families, characteristic of recent announcements, is largely expected to be absent.
One parent shared their experience: “I will not pay my gas and electric bill in August. I will borrow money and use financing options to afford back to school items.”
“I will be in debt until March the following year until everything is paid back, then the cycle repeats in August. My biggest worry is whether I can sustain this year after year.”
The Barnardos survey received 830 online responses throughout July.
Over a quarter (27%) of secondary school parents reported using savings to cover back-to-school costs, while nearly one in six (15%) took out a loan or borrowed from family.
Parents also described forgoing essential expenses in order to afford school supplies, while others stated they would be unable to pay their bills.
Concerning uniforms, parents reported spending an average of €125 for primary school uniforms and €199 for secondary school uniforms.
Barnardos identified the requirement to purchase expensive, crested uniform items instead of generic clothing, the need for tracksuits alongside everyday uniforms, and children outgrowing their uniforms as the biggest challenges facing parents.
The charity asserts that the Department of Education’s circular regarding affordable uniforms is not being effectively enforced and suggests introducing an affordable uniform charter for schools to adopt.
More than three-quarters (78%) of primary school parents and 84% of secondary school parents reported being asked to make a voluntary contribution to their child’s school.
This equated to an average spend of €87 for primary school children and €133 for secondary school students.
Approximately three-quarters of parents felt the payment was not truly voluntary.
Barnardos recommends that the upcoming Budget includes continued increases to the capitation rate to support schools, and that schools maintain transparency regarding fund allocation.
Additional recommendations include broadening the eligibility criteria for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and reducing the cost of digital devices imposed on parents by schools.
“No parent should face added stress and financial difficulties just to ensure their child is prepared for the new school year,” stated Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly.
“While the Government has alleviated some costs, both the Government and individual schools have opportunities to further reduce the financial burden on parents.”
