With just two weeks left until the new school year, parents in Kazakhstan are already busy preparing. According to KTK TV channel, a basic set of clothing for a student costs on average 35,000 tenge, while a full outfit, including everything needed, can reach 150,000 tenge, reports infohub.kz.
Stores and markets already offer a wide range of school uniforms and stationery, but there is no rush among parents yet. Prices are similar: blouses and shirts cost around 7,000 tenge on average, trousers, skirts, and dresses about 10,000. Shoes are significantly more expensive – from 15,000 tenge and up. Thus, a minimal set of clothes in one copy will cost parents almost 35,000 tenge.
Seller Almas Satybaldyuly notes: “A dress, shirts, trousers – all cost about 10,000 each. Stationery is not expensive this year. Prices haven’t been raised. Thin notebooks start from 10 tenge. Pens – 5 each. Covers – 40. The most expensive item is the backpack. In total, you need to budget 15-20 thousand for stationery, and 30-40 for clothes. In general, 50-60. At least, that’s how it is here. You can bargain.”
City authorities have made similar calculations. In Almaty, before the start of the school year, the “Road to School” campaign is traditionally held, providing 60,000 tenge per child to low-income families. About 7,000 schoolchildren have already received such social assistance.
However, residents believe it is difficult to fit into such a budget. One parent shared: “I think 150,000, 200,000, including good shoes. Plus, if you also get good sports shoes, the price might be even higher.” Another added: “So far, we’ve only bought a three-piece suit: trousers, vest, and jacket. We paid 42,000. Also shoes – dress shoes, and we need a change of shoes. A backpack, of course. And stationery, naturally.” A third parent said: “I dress two daughters for 200,000. My son – for 100,000. For three kids, we need at least half a million. That’s without stationery – that’s another 50,000 per child. We prepared in advance. I saved from June and July salaries, and from vacation pay. There’s no other way.”
Some parents have found a way to save by shopping on marketplaces, especially Chinese ones, where you can dress a child for school even for 20,000 tenge. In the end, by minimal estimates, preparing a child for school will cost Almaty residents about 35,000 tenge. But if you add spare shirts, seasonal shoes, stationery, tights, socks, accessories like a tie, and sports clothes for PE, expenses can rise to 100-150,000 tenge.
Earlier, the Almaty Education Department commented on the amount of assistance allocated to low-income families for school preparation. This year, the assistance is 60,000 tenge. It was also reported whether school administration can dictate to parents where to buy school uniforms.