Back-to-school blues continue
08 January 2019 | Education
Last-minute shopping is causing parents to panic as they try to find stationery and school uniforms at the eleventh hour.
Wernhil Park was bustling with parents and guardians, school-going children in tow, with most hoping to find all the needed stationery items and uniforms.
Some of the parents Namibian Sun spoke to said they started their back-to-school shopping as early as last year but were not able to buy everything due to several shops simply not having stock at that time of the year.
“We started buying as early as last year because it is much better to get it out of the way but we still have about ten items to check off the school's list. I am starting to panic because my daughter needs to go to school with all these items and we cannot find them,” parent Petrina David said.
Other parents said the schools are not specific enough with their requirements, which makes the whole shopping experience difficult.
“I am struggling to get most of the required items. I have been in most shops but I cannot find the specific books and stationery. I am buying stationery for three children and it is really strenuous.
“The schools need to be clear on the items they want from the children,” said another parent, Natalia Nathanael.
Some parents said prices had risen since December, while others felt that the shops were exploiting the situation.
“My child is going to grade one and I am shocked at the prices. Buying school shoes is the most painful thing because they are the most expensive and yet, they easily get lost.
“I have no choice because it is my responsibility as a parent to buy my children's school items but the shops need to help us and bring these prices down,” said Klaudia Mwaamba.
Many parents said they were really feeling the pinch even though they had not overspent during the festive season. Some have lost their jobs and are using much-needed savings to get the necessary school kits together, while others told Namibian Sun the current economic climate with high inflation has placed an added burden on parents.
Many others are unsure at which schools their children will be enrolled and will have to rush out to buy uniforms as soon as they manage to register them.
JUNE SHIMUOSHILI
Wernhil Park was bustling with parents and guardians, school-going children in tow, with most hoping to find all the needed stationery items and uniforms.
Some of the parents Namibian Sun spoke to said they started their back-to-school shopping as early as last year but were not able to buy everything due to several shops simply not having stock at that time of the year.
“We started buying as early as last year because it is much better to get it out of the way but we still have about ten items to check off the school's list. I am starting to panic because my daughter needs to go to school with all these items and we cannot find them,” parent Petrina David said.
Other parents said the schools are not specific enough with their requirements, which makes the whole shopping experience difficult.
“I am struggling to get most of the required items. I have been in most shops but I cannot find the specific books and stationery. I am buying stationery for three children and it is really strenuous.
“The schools need to be clear on the items they want from the children,” said another parent, Natalia Nathanael.
Some parents said prices had risen since December, while others felt that the shops were exploiting the situation.
“My child is going to grade one and I am shocked at the prices. Buying school shoes is the most painful thing because they are the most expensive and yet, they easily get lost.
“I have no choice because it is my responsibility as a parent to buy my children's school items but the shops need to help us and bring these prices down,” said Klaudia Mwaamba.
Many parents said they were really feeling the pinch even though they had not overspent during the festive season. Some have lost their jobs and are using much-needed savings to get the necessary school kits together, while others told Namibian Sun the current economic climate with high inflation has placed an added burden on parents.
Many others are unsure at which schools their children will be enrolled and will have to rush out to buy uniforms as soon as they manage to register them.
JUNE SHIMUOSHILI
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