The price increase has, among other things, a huge impact on the necessary groceries around school. Many families therefore have to make compromises.
The higher costs of going to school and daily school life put pressure on parents. This is evident from a current interim study from the Sora school costs survey for the Chamber of Labor (AK), in which 2,500 households regularly document all school-related costs for a year. For 60 percent, these expenses are very or somewhat burdensome. For households at risk of poverty, this is as high as 86 percent.
According to the parent survey conducted from November 20 to 27, the start of the new school year in September cost an average of €304 per child, with a quarter of parents saying their child was attending a new type of school and therefore needed new schools. basic equipment.
The older the child, the higher the costs
In addition to general school supplies such as school bags or pens, the costs also took into account specific purchases (house shoes, work suitcases, special equipment for vocational schools, etc.) and IT purchases. The older the child, the higher the costs. Given the price increase, according to the survey, a third of parents had to make compromises on school costs often or very often this time.
According to the research, every second family is concerned about the future prospects of their children, and among families at risk of poverty this figure is as high as 82 percent. “Every child should have the opportunity to develop well and succeed at school,” says Andl. Instead, it is becoming increasingly important whether families have enough money or not.
Parents must compensate for the shortcomings of schools
She also sees the need for action when it comes to the provision of childcare, because despite a shortage of skilled workers, parents – and especially mothers – still have to ‘struggle’ between a part-time job and their children’s education: according to the research, every second mother only works part-time, because after that they often only work half a day. At school we still have to work, learn and practice together. “It cannot be the case that after a long working day, parents constantly compensate for what they have not learned well enough at school,” Anderl criticized.
The government must act
School costs should be drastically reduced in times of inflation, for example by giving schools a budget for school materials based on the Vienna shopping cart model, which they can use unbureaucratically. In addition, families at risk of poverty and single parents should receive special help and support. In the medium term, from the AK perspective, schools must also be equipped in such a way that school success no longer depends on whether parents can invest sufficient time and money – for example through premium-free, high-quality day schools and a social index that identifies schools with a particularly large number students are included. More resources must be received.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
