AZE.US
With less than a month remaining before the new school year, parents across Azerbaijan have begun shopping for uniforms. Some stores in Baku are offering school shirts for as little as 2–5 manats ($1.18-$2.94), raising questions about their quality and safety.
Demand for the low-cost shirts remains strong, according to sellers. However, many parents doubt that clothing sold at such prices can last through the school year.
Some shoppers say buying the cheapest option may ultimately cost more because poorly made shirts wear out quickly and must be replaced several times.
Health specialists also advise parents to look beyond the price tag. Children’s skin is generally more sensitive, and low-quality synthetic fabrics, dyes or other chemical substances may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Azerbaijan’s Republican Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology stressed that the safety of clothing is determined not by its price but by whether the materials meet established hygiene standards.
Parents are advised to examine product labels, information about the manufacturer and fabric composition, as well as documents confirming that the clothing has passed the required safety checks.
Under government requirements cited in the report, fabric used for school trousers, skirts and jackets should contain 60% wool and 40% polyester. Products should also be factory-made, properly labeled and certified.
Prices for some uniform items have declined ahead of the school year. Trousers and skirts previously sold for 20 manats can now be found for around 15 manats ($8.82), while school jackets have fallen from 30 manats to 20–22 manats ($11.76-$12.94).
A basic set consisting of trousers or a skirt and a jacket therefore costs at least 35-37 manats ($20.59-$21.76), excluding shirts, shoes and other school supplies.
Experts recommend that parents avoid choosing uniforms solely on the basis of the lowest price. Missing labels, unclear fabric composition or the absence of information about the manufacturer should be treated as warning signs.
AZE.US