By Benson Daniel
The reopening of schools has brought a mixture of relief, excitement and financial concern for parents and guardians as families prepare for another academic term.
For many households, the return to school offers children an opportunity to resume learning, reconnect with classmates and return to a more structured daily routine after the holiday break.
However, the resumption has also placed additional financial pressure on families already dealing with rising living costs. Parents are having to meet expenses covering school fees, uniforms, books, transportation, meals and other requirements demanded by schools.
The cost of educational materials has become a particular concern for many families. Prices of exercise books, textbooks, writing materials, school bags and other essentials have increased, forcing some parents to adjust their budgets or spread purchases over time.
Transportation is another challenge, especially for families whose children attend schools far from home. Higher fuel and transport costs have made daily school runs more expensive, while parents relying on school buses are also facing increased charges in some cases.
Despite the financial burden, many parents say they remain determined to ensure that their children return to school without missing important academic activities.
For low- and middle-income households, however, the pressure can be particularly difficult. Some parents are being forced to prioritise essential school items while postponing purchases that can be made later in the term.
The situation has also renewed calls for schools to consider the economic circumstances of families when introducing new charges or requirements. Parents argue that schools can help reduce the burden by limiting non-essential expenses and giving families sufficient notice before imposing additional costs.
Education remains one of the most important areas of household spending, with families often making significant sacrifices to keep their children in school. For many parents, the investment is seen as essential to giving their children better opportunities in the future.
As classrooms reopen, attention is expected to shift towards attendance, academic performance and the ability of schools to provide a stable learning environment for students.
Teachers and school administrators are also preparing to settle students back into academic routines after the break. The first weeks of a new term are often crucial for establishing classroom discipline, identifying learning gaps and setting expectations for the months ahead.
While children may welcome the return to school with excitement, parents and guardians are approaching the new term with a more complicated mix of emotions — happy to see their children resume their education but increasingly concerned about the cost of keeping them there.
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