Some parents say new school year putting strain on their pockets

As the 2025 school year resumes on Wednesday, some shops in Polokwane, Limpopo, are inundated with parents and guardians shopping for stationery and uniforms.

Some parents say that they have to dig deeper as buying uniforms, stationery and other school supplies has become pricey.

Unemployed mother of two, Queen Mojela’s children are in Grade three and 10.

Mojela says although they get some stationery at school, they need additional items.

“As for budgeting, we did not budget very well because we are not coping with the prices of uniforms and stationery. It’s harder because during December, we buy for the festive holidays and now in January we cannot cope as prices are even higher. We try to patch up where we can now as schools are reopening. It’s hard, my other child is in grade three and I have to buy 10 pens, five pencils, five files and 10 erasers, it is finically draining adding a lot of items even though they get some from the school for free which is not enough. We don’t even know what to do.”

Lucy Seerane, whose child is going to Grade R, says she had already purchased school uniforms and stationery during the festive season.

“I started buying school uniforms last year for my child who is going to Grade R this year. Now I am just finishing up on minor stationery and additional clothing the child might need. I think I budgeted quite well for the opening of the school year.”