Ouers spend big before the first day of school

THE holidays are over en dis tyd vir kop krap as parents are gearing up for the new school year.

- BY MARSHA DEAN

WRITE STUFF: School stationery can be an expensive headache

Starting a new schooling adventure is a daunting experience for some parents, especially if your child is starting high school or primary school which means new school, new uniform, a new stationery list, a new set of everything... en alles kos net geld.

In no-fees government schools, costs are relatively low to cater for poorer communities.

But in other government school models, some families are looking at R6 000 at the start of primary school, while going to high school could see the cost rise to R10 000.

Apart from the school fees, stationery and uniforms take up the bulk of the expense. Stationery packs average at around R1 000, with high school mathematics equipment like scientific calculators starting from R150.

Uniforms range from R400 for a couple of pieces to R4 000 to cover for a full week.

On Wednesday morning as mom Shameema Brown will be sending her one and only six-year-old son to start Grade 1, he is not only starting his first day in school but will also get his first-ever haircut.