Back-to-School Expenses: A Challenge for Moroccan Families
Alalam24, With the start of the school season, parents and guardians find themselves facing the tangible rise in the costs of school supplies this year. Between acquiring essential educational materials and meeting children’s preferences, families seek ways to reduce the increasing financial burden
For them, September is the month of expenses par excellence due to the significant and escalating costs associated with the new school year, year after year
According to the latest study conducted by the High Commission for Planning (HCP) on the total spending of Moroccan households on their children’s education, just over 61.5 percent of Moroccan families with school-going children, which amounts to slightly more than 6 out of 10 households, have spent an average of 4,356 Moroccan Dirhams on their children’s education across all educational levels. This represents approximately 4.8 percent of their annual budgets
The study, based on national research on income sources conducted between 2019 and 2020, reveals that these expenses have been increasing annually and are more costly in private education
Furthermore, in addition to textbooks, which have remained stable in price over the past year thanks to government support, extracurricular activities, art supplies, and school uniforms constitute significant additional expenses. These expenses are compounded by the need for electronic devices and internet connectivity, which have now become essential tools for learners
In the face of this reality, many parents and guardians resort to various strategies to reduce the costs associated with the new school year, given the economic challenges
Nora, a mother of two, explains, “We took advantage of the summer discounts to buy school uniforms like shirts, blouses, and sports shoes.” She added, “We plan to purchase books and other school supplies without the children present to avoid unnecessary expenses,” highlighting that “used textbooks can be the best option for us
On the other hand, Anas, a bookstore owner in Rabat, mentioned that despite the challenging circumstances, he has not observed any decline in the demand for textbooks because “families have no choice but to purchase them.” He emphasized that parents are looking for other ways to cut costs
He added, “Many parents and guardians have refrained from buying school bags this year and have reused various school supplies to reduce expenses, which affects the sales of certain products
Additionally, Anas emphasized that the back-to-school period is the most lucrative for publishers and bookstore owners, as “school-related products dominate sales, with the number of transactions in September being more than three times that of any other month in the year”
It’s worth noting that approximately eight million students have enrolled in schools for the new academic year. This renewal of the school season brings forth discussions about the challenges hindering the improvement of the education system, including the alignment of curricula with development requirements, language teaching debates, and enhancing the national offering in vocational training
