The beginning of the school year is near, and with it significant expenses on textbooks and other necessary materials for pupils. According to the study conducted by Millward Brown on behalf of KRUK Group, over 90% of basic and most common expenses of Poles is covered from monthly income. This means that an additional several hundred zloty may be a problem for many parents. Where to look for savings?
It is a good idea to talk to the child few days before the planned shopping of the school kit and make a shopping list together. This way we will get rid of the habit of putting unnecessary articles in the shopping cart and, at the same time, save time and... money. It is best to do shopping in supermarkets. In the second month of holidays they organise campaigns entitled "Back to school". They are a real mine of attractive offers, so you can buy most of the necessary products at a reasonable price. Owing to such special offers in supermarkets, we can buy cheaper notebooks which are usually packed in bulk, as well as light rucksacks or stable school-bags. When compiling the school equipment, remember that it should not overload the spine.
According to a study conducted by CBOS*, consistently the top ranked expense are textbooks, on which PLN 360 per child are spent on average. Parents having a difficult financial situation may use the offer of free textbooks and exercise materials for pupils under the project prepared by the Ministry of National Education. Owing to this campaign, the books are owned by the school library and may be lent to pupils for one year. Detailed information are available on the ministry's website: www.men.gov.pl. During the summer you can also look for websites that offer second-hand books or visit school fairs which in many facilities are organised already at the beginning of August. In such places you can buy cheaper books or buy used books from older children.
- According to CBOS's calculations, last year the preparation of a child for school costed PLN 828 from the household budget. It is a very important expense, especially if parents must buy the school kit for more than one child. That is why it is worth to look for saving opportunities rather than postpone shopping to the last moment – advises Karolina Barańska from KRUK Group.
If the material situation is difficult, it is a good idea to consider applying for funding to the purchase of the school kit. According to the announcement made by the Ministry of National Education, the funds allocated to 2015/2016 amount to PLN 225 to even PLN 770 in the case of children with a special educational needs certificate. It is also possible to look for help in compiling school equipment with Caritas Polska. Detailed information on the organised campaign entitled "School-bag full of smiles" can be found on the organisation's website.
*Report entitled "Parents' expenditure on children's education in school year 2014/2015" on behalf of CBOS, October 2014.
