Financial Burden on Families Increases Ahead of New Academic Year
As the educational marathon begins for nearly 20 million students, increases in items such as stationery, school transport, and meals are straining family budgets.
With little time left before the first school bell rings for nearly 20 million students, expenses for stationery, meals, school transport, uniforms, and courses continue to strain household budgets.
General Overview of Educational Expenses
With little time left before the first school bell rings for nearly 20 million students, the new academic year brings an increasingly burdensome expenditure calendar for parents.
When stationery, meals, school transport, uniforms, digital materials, courses, and activities are taken into account, the cost of accessing education turns into one of the primary elements straining household income levels.
Basic School Bag Cost
According to calculations by Taha Keresteci, Chairman of the Board of the All Stationers Association, the cost of filling a school bag consisting of basic products increased by 25.4 percent compared to last year, reaching 2,483 liras.
While the highest increase was seen in backpacks at 30 percent, the sector demands that the VAT exemption applied to books also be extended to stationery products.
Private and Public School Costs
According to calculations by Trakya University faculty member Prof. Dr. Sadi Uzunoğlu, total annual costs in private schools range between 500 thousand liras and approximately 2.5 million liras.
In public schools, however, when side expenses such as meals, books, stationery, uniforms, and activities are totaled, the annual cost ranges between 60 thousand and 375 thousand liras.
Transport Fees and Sectoral Demands
Günhan Sınar, President of the Istanbul General School Transport Operators Tradesmen Association, stated that current transport fees are not sustainable due to diesel prices exceeding 80 liras and increasing costs.
It was stated that the association's increase demand in tariff negotiations is 30 percent and that guide personnel fees are also included in the tariff.