Although schools have tried to control the increases, they say their costs have increased, mainly due to rising heating and energy prices.
The increase in education-related expenses continues to be a growing problem throughout Europeespecially for poorer parents and single parents, but also for children of refugees.
Back to school is usually the beginning of a new adventure for children around the world, and it is also a big day for children in the Czech Republic. Data from the country’s Ministry of Education shows that this year there are 118,000 first year students and a total of 998,000 students enrolled for the nine years of primary school.
However, for parents, equipping their children for school requires considerable financial expenditure. “The beginning is demanding, from the backpack to the supplies, the food, so it undoubtedly means a big burden on the family budget“says one of the parents, Nikola Mendyka.
Another mother, Hana Prokopcová, estimates that it costs about 1,200 euros to buy everything a child needs during his first school year. However, you also have to add the cost of food, the after-school club and other extra-curricular activities.
Although schools have tried to control the increases, they say that its costs have increasedmainly due to increase in heating prices and energy.
“As a result, the school had to increase ratesso from 2023 we will increase the fees for the after-school club, the canteen and the kindergarten,” explains SB Weber school director Karel Cermák.
A campaign to help those most in need
The increase in the cost of education is a growing problemespecially for poor single parents, but also for the children of the 340,000 Ukrainian refugees living in the Czech Republic, most of whom are single mothers with children.
Journalist Nora Fridrichová founded the Satník (“The Closet”) center in the center of Prague in 2021 to offer help to single parents. People donate objects they no longer use to the center, which can be collected by parents in need after properly registering.
“Our closet is always full, every morning there are a line of people coming to get things. But the truth is that, at the moment, there is a greater demand for school supplies,” he says.
Satnik participates in a campaign to collect school supplies. In the next two weeks, will distribute school supplies to all parents and children who need it. The goal is for young people from less fortunate families to feel equal.
