Many families have been hit hard by general inflation. And now the start of school is just around the corner. According to the Chamber of Commerce, educational materials have become almost 10 percent more expensive this year. More and more parents are dependent on subsidies.
Crayons, school bags, compasses, pocket calculators – starting school presents financial challenges for families. And they keep getting bigger. A few pens are no longer enough. The demands of recent years – keyword distance learning – have also made laptops and other digital learning devices indispensable.
The costs grow with the children
The Chamber of Commerce continuously collects the school costs. In the previous year, these amounted to 1796 euros per child on average. In primary school, the value is lower, in the superstructure it is significantly higher at 2051 euros. It is clear that the burden will increase significantly this year. “The shoe pinches”, confirms Ernst HaunHOLter, head of the education department of the Tyrolean Chamber of Labour. The AK is currently receiving many applications. “Parents are afraid of what’s to come,” HaunHOLTER sums up the mood.
And there is still a lot to come for families. The Chamber of Labor has currently compared 15 products and noted an average price increase of almost 10 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, there are large price differences between the stores. So it’s worth comparing. However, HaunHOLTER advises against buying everything now: “You don’t always really need what you bought. It is better to wait for the teacher lists with the necessary materials.”
School is good for the economy
Those who want to save are not automatically well served by large retail chains. This is indicated by the local specialist retailer. The little shop around the corner is often the better place to go. School is good for the economy. The annual turnover of school goods is about 260 million euros in all of Austria, which is one of the most important sales generators next to Christmas. An average of 130 euros is spent on a school purchase.
Poorer families are hit harder than average
On average, families spend eight percent of their annual family income on school attendance. Those who earn little are hit much harder because the expenses per child are always the same. According to the Chamber of Commerce, families with a maximum monthly income of 2,000 euros must collect more than 14 percent of their household income. The share of school costs in these families accounts for one sixth of the annual income.
Extension of the school allowance
Central and federal governments counter this with subsidies. The number of recipients of the state school cost subsidy has expanded this year. Depending on the income, 150 to 200 euros are awarded per child and year. The new guidelines allow more families to sign up. Moreover, the subsidy can now be applied for all year round. What the AK advocates: substantial increase or indexation of aid.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
