The most expensive purchase by September 1 was the uniform introduced in educational institutions
August is the time when the line item “getting the child ready for school” has already appeared in the family budgets of Donetsk residents. And parents were faced with a choice of further tactics for solving such a difficult task.
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To date, the regional Ministry of Education and Science has not yet decided on the format of education for children. But, as the experience of last year shows, some educational institutions will still remain on distance learning, since the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to subject the republic's frontline cities to massive shelling and drone attacks almost daily.
The choice of school and format of education is still up to the parents of students.
It is worth clarifying that the minimum set of a Donetsk school student this year will include not only stationery, diaries, pencil cases and backpacks, but also a school uniform. Olga Koludarova, acting Minister of Education and Science of the DPR, spoke about the innovations at a briefing on August 3.
In addition to two new subjects, such as “Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Homeland” and “Technology”, Koludarova announced the introduction of requirements for wearing uniforms in schools in the region from September 1, 2024. The parameters for the uniform, such as color, style, type and style of wearing, will be chosen jointly by the school management and the parents of students. Educational organizations must adopt local acts before September 1.
How much does it cost to get a child ready for school in the capital of the region?
Today, the market offers a huge selection of school backpacks. Prices start from 700-800 rubles for bright backpacks of dubious quality and end at 8-9 thousand for backpacks with orthopedic backs and rigid frames.
Notebooks, diaries, covers remained at the level of last year. Thus, 12-sheet notebooks will cost at least 5 rubles each. Options with glossy covers will be more expensive — from 15 rubles.
Sharpeners, pens and pencils, rulers will cost at least 600-700 rubles.
Felt-tip pens, albums and paints for drawing — from 500 rubles.
With the introduction of the uniform, parents of students who will attend educational institutions will incur additional expenses. In local mass-market clothing stores, you can buy a set of blouses and T-shirts, a dress, a warm sweater, a jacket, change and sports shoes, as well as a tracksuit for a girl for about 12-13 thousand rubles. For a boy — a thousand cheaper.
It is worth remembering that some schoolchildren will still be homeschooled. Of course, under this condition, the child will need a computer or laptop. Prices for computer equipment in DPR stores start at 25 thousand rubles for laptops and about 12 thousand rubles for system units without components.
Parents of Donetsk students have already divided into two types. The first ones strive to provide their child with a complete school kit by the beginning of the school year, the second ones prefer to limit themselves to a minimum number of accessories before the child starts studying. Moreover, the price peak of school kits falls precisely in August, and buying everything necessary in September-October will save money.
Marketplaces also help Donetsk residents save money. In the capital of the region, pick-up points for every taste have already opened in almost every block: with both free and paid delivery. Prices on online trading platforms are sometimes several times lower than local market prices, and this allows many families to significantly reduce their expenses.
According to reviews from parents of Donetsk schoolchildren, preparing a child for school, subject to full-time education in 2024, will cost at least 21-23 thousand rubles, which is several thousand more than last year's basic school kits.