The cost of back to school time

‘Sending son to school is costing us a fortune’

What the families who contacted Barnardos had to say:

*“Schools should be trying to support parents who cannot afford the cost of uniforms by sourcing cheap alternatives instead of having to go to specific shops. The principal at our school puts pressure on children who are not in correct uniform, this is not right when it’s the parents who cannot afford the correct items. I bought my child black tights which cost €5 for three pairs instead of wine ones which are €5 for one pair and she was told to tell me they are only €5. We are unemployed and €5 is a lot of money when you are feeding a family. Trying to explain this to a seven-year-old is very difficult when she is afraid of getting into trouble... Teachers should be told this.”

*“Please, please consider forcing schools to have a non-crested uniform so that uniforms can be purchased in any shop the parent desires, thereby enabling them to shop around. The cost of crested uniforms is absolutely exorbitant and a huge financial burden on already cash-strapped families. The schools are not going to change this rule voluntarily — the minister needs to make this a compulsory change.”

*“My son is 12 years old and will be starting sixth class in September. The cost of sending my son to school has increased even with the help of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and the book rental scheme. My son’s uniform costs more than other kids as he is in men’s size clothing which has significantly increased the costs. I would like to see schools trying to help parents by not having expensive uniform with crests — most of these items are not of good quality and do not last the year so I have to replace things.”

*“Cost of uniforms is ridiculous. A tracksuit is €40... a jumper €30. Way too expensive.”

*“Workbooks make schooling very expensive for primary schools. I have four children so the textbooks get handed down but each year the bill is still the same due to workbooks.”

*“New editions of textbooks are another scam. As a secondary teacher myself I know there aren’t enough changes in the new editions to warrant the costs to parents.”

*“‘Voluntary’ contribution is an issue that must be tackled. The difference from school to school is astounding. My daughter’s school looks for €350 per year. It’s shocking. I can’t pay as I’m a single mother on part-time wages. My daughter gets the reminder letters in front of her classmates.”

*“Doesn’t matter how many extra days I work or things my family does without, sending my son to junior infants is costing me a fortune. As a single parent it’s ruining us.”

*“I think it is an absolute disgrace that you cut the back to school allowance. I have three children at primary school and €100 each doesn’t nearly cover the cost of their uniform or books. I couldn’t even send my children to swimming lessons this year as we couldn’t afford it as it costs €150 for the three of them to go. It is an awful, stressful time for us to get our children back to school because of the costs.”

*“Stop cutting payments made to schools because the more money you take off the schools the more will be requested from parents for photocopying, stationary, etc. Times are tough enough.”

*“I think they have a cheek saying children are educated for free. It’s a disgrace. My husband is self-employed and works very long hours and even when he gets home is still on call. While we don’t have after-school fees all the time there are times that we do. We are not entitled to anything and even though our son nearly died last year through ill health we were denied a medical card. So the money we had set aside last year for school uniforms, books, and stationery [were] spent on GP costs and medication, leaving us no choice but to get a loan for school costs and pay interest on it and hadn’t got it cleared till April.”

*“We struggle to pay bills from week to week already... We have twin girls starting this year and another daughter going into senior infants. Between the three of them, books alone cost just over €300 — that’s before a uniform or anything. Twins in the past got an allowance at four years of age for starting school, but this was got rid of in the last budget. Our whole summer is ruined because of the cost of my girls going to school.!!”

*“My son doesn’t get the book rental scheme as all his books are workbooks. It only applies from third class on. I do not qualify for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. I was €10 over the limit last year. This is despite the fact that three fifths of my income goes directly to crèche fees. While it is only €75 per week for my older son, my younger is €160 per week. As a single parent this makes it very difficult, with my estimates to send both kids to school in September coming in at over €750.”

*“I have five children aged two to 10, I have to pay for college and secondary school costs and primary school costs, I have to borrow more than €5,000 from a money-lending company to pay for these costs, and have to pay that back at €120 per week.”

*“It’s breaking us to send children to school, which can lead to depression.”