Schools reopen on Wednesday across Kerala. Photo: Rinku Raj MattancheriyilA new academic year is all set to begin. School buses will be bringing the chattering tiny tots to schools through the rain, carrying with them the smell of new uniforms, water-bottles, lunchboxes and books.
The academic year also denotes the beginning of new aspirations. Parents will have to shell out at least Rs 5000 for each child to send him/her to school.
Though price of schoolbags, books and other essentials have gone up, the market was vibrant, even on Sundays.
Rs 5,000 for a child
The bag alone will cost about Rs 700, while a steel lunchbox will make one poorer by Rs 200. The same is the cost for a plastic tiffin box for kindergarten students.
If water should be carried in a flask during the rainy season, the price will cross Rs 400. A plastic bottle itself will cost Rs 60-80. If casserole is required, it will cost extra. A pair of shoes and socks will come to at least Rs 450.
To attract children, the market has come up with innovative products such as umbrellas doubling up as selfie sticks, and parasols fitted with LEDs, and even those that spray rainwater around.
These umbrellas are being sold in the price range of Rs 300-1,000. For those kids reluctant to use umbrellas, raincoats will have to be provided, and that will come to Rs 700.
All set for school. Photo: Rinku Raj MattancheriyilInstrument box and uniforms
The innovations are seen even in instrument boxes. Children studying in the lower classes are keen on getting double-decked pencil boxes, which will cost more than Rs 150 each. Instrument box, too, carries a similar price tag. For boxes containing pencils, eraser, sharpener and other little things, the price will cross Rs 200 each.
A significant share of the school budget will go to stitching uniforms. A child should have at least three pairs of uniforms as the school opens. Most institutions mandate the students to wear a different uniform on Wednesdays. Besides this uniform, two pairs of the regular ones too are necessary.
During the rainy season, two pairs are often inadequate. More than the cloth, tailoring costs more, and the three pairs will come around Rs 2,000.
Tuition fee, bus charge
The Rs 5,000 does not include the monthly tuition fee and bus charge. Admission fee and the first installment make school opening more expensive. The monthly bus charge will be around Rs 500. Besides all these expenses are the cost of ID card and miscellaneous fee charged ahead of the school opening.
Package offer
Several hyper markets are offering packages. A package of schoolbag, footwear and umbrella can be purchased for Rs 1,500. A pack of tiffin box, schoolbag, water-bottle, shoes and socks too costs Rs 1,500. A pack of schoolbag and umbrella can be bought for Rs 1,000.
Special campaign
Several malls are holding shopping fests ahead of school reopening. A mall held ‘Back to School’. Banners and discount offers welcome parents and students to smaller shops. Roadside market, too, is active.
New faces galore
Several new products are in the market to attract children and burn a hold in their parents’ pockets. LED umbrellas and water-proof bags are the new products in the market. If tiny tots are attracted to LED umbrellas, older children go for umbrella-cum-selfie sticks. Cartoon characters and Jungle Book characters are seen on several products. Durable synthetic brown paper is also a new avatar in the market.
