By AZE.US
With only days remaining before the new academic year begins in Azerbaijan, families are calculating the cost of preparing their children for school.
Stores are already crowded with parents searching for notebooks, stationery, uniforms and backpacks. Prices vary significantly depending on quality, brand and design, allowing shoppers to choose between budget and premium options.
Basic notebooks start at 20 gapiks, while larger versions cost up to 80 gapiks. Pens range from 6 gapiks to 1 manat, and sets of colored pencils can cost anywhere from 60 gapiks to 10 manats.
Backpacks represent one of the largest expenses. Budget models start at 12-15 manats, while higher-quality options begin at around 20-25 manats.
Premium backpacks can cost as much as 150 manats, or approximately $88.
Other reported prices include:
- Colored paper: 0.50-1 manat
- Modeling clay: 0.90-4 manats
- Water bottles: 2-10 manats
- Pencil cases: 1-25 manats
- Drawing albums: 1-4 manats
Parents interviewed at stores estimated that preparing one child for school costs at least 150 manats when clothing, footwear, a backpack and essential supplies are included. Depending on product quality and the student’s needs, the total can easily exceed 200 manats, or about $118.
The financial burden is considerably heavier for households with two or more school-age children, particularly when uniforms and shoes still need to be purchased.
AZE.US