The hike in education-related expenses remains a growing problem, especially for poor and single parents, but also for the children of refugees.
ADVERTISEMENTStarting school is the beginning of a new adventure for children all over the world and a big day for youngsters in the Czech Republic.
Data from the country’s Ministry of Education shows that there are 118,000 first-graders this year, and a total of 998,000 learners registered for the nine years of primary school.
For parents, however, equipping their children for school requires considerable financial expenditure.
"The start is demanding, from the briefcase to the supplies, the rings, the food, so it's definitely a big burden on the family budget," says one parent, Nikola Mendyka.
Another parent, Hana Prokopcová, estimates it costs about €1,200 to buy everything a child needs as they go into Grade 1.
However, the cost of the school canteen, the after-school club, and any other extracurricular activities also have to be added.
While schools have tried to keep increases low, they say their costs have gone up, mainly due to higher heating and energy prices.
"As a result, the school had to raise its fees, so from 2023 we increased fees for the after-school club, the canteen, and the kindergarten," says SB Weber School Director Karel Čermák.
A drive to help those in need
The rising cost of schooling is a growing problem, especially for poor and single parents, but also for the children of Ukrainian refugees.
The Czech Republic hosts about 340,000 such refugees, most of who are single mothers with children.
Journalist Nora Fridrichová started Šatník (“the Wardrobe”) in the centre of Prague in 2021 to offer some assistance to single parents.
People donate items they no longer have use for to the centre, which can then be taken by parents in need after proper registration.
"Our wardrobe is always full, every morning there is a queue of people coming to get things. But the truth is that, right now, there is an increased demand for school supplies,” she said.
Šatnik is taking part in an ongoing drive to collect what's needed.
Over the next two weeks, they will give out school supplies to all parents and children in need. The aim is to make youngsters from less fortunate families feel equal.
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