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'We've no way to buy cheaper uniforms': Parents facing price hikes ahead of new school term

Poverty campaigners and parents’ groups fear that back-to-school costs will be compounded this year by the cost-of-living crisis.

CAMPAIGNERS HAVE URGED schools to be “extra cognisant” of students and families who are struggling to afford books and uniforms ahead of the new school year.

Poverty campaigners and parents’ groups frequently highlight the cost of going back to school every summer, but there are fears that the financial burden on parents will be compounded this year by the cost-of-living crisis.

One parent-of-four in the west of the country, who spoke to The Journal on condition of anonymity, said her children’s school had recently announced a new uniform to be introduced in September.

The new uniform includes a crested jumper, tie and a tracksuit top and bottoms that are only available from one shop in the area, the parent said.

This is despite a 2017 circular from the Department of Education telling schools that “all elements of a school uniform should be purchasable from various stores” and “only iron-on or sew-on crests should be used”.

The parent said: “We’ve no way to buy cheaper and I don’t think it’s fair – for us personally, we can afford a uniform and I’m happy to have a uniform. But it’s more of the principle behind it, that it’s at the cost of the parents and that’s it.

With a generic jumper or tracksuit “I could afford to buy two, I don’t have to do that midweek wash.”

They added that the school was not phasing in the new uniform for incoming junior infants: “It’s everyone, from junior to sixth class … and it’ll only be available in August.”

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul said that many of the calls it receives “relate to requests for financial help with parental contributions, schoolbooks, digital equipment, and the cost of school uniforms”.

An SVP spokesperson told The Journal there are a number of “poverty-proofing strategies” for schools, including spreading the cost of in-school activities over the course of the school year and alternatives for low-income families such as waivers and payment plans.

They added: “Based on SVP’s work in communities it sees how teachers and principals work hard to reduce the impact of poverty on children’s experiences at school.” 

Solutions

Kathryn Corbett, the principal of Bishop Galvin National School in Dublin 6W, said that while uniforms represent a significant cost upfront, she believes they are more cost-effective over the course of the year than having students wear their own clothes.

She told this publication: “It’s the same conversation every year, the cost of going back to school, but there’s never any solutions proposed.”

She said her school’s uniform supplier has increased its prices, a move it said was a result of supply issues caused by Covid and Brexit.

She said parents would face “additional challenges” with costs this year, “but it always is an expensive time”.

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said that the government is “committed to reducing the burden on parents in relation to back to school costs”.

Under the measures outlined in the 2017 circular, schools are required to select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only “iron on” or “sew on” crests should be used.

“The circular also sets out that schools should consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives in relation to school uniforms,” a Department spokesperson said.

They also said that schools are expected to “adopt a cost-conscious approach” to the selection of textbooks.

“Under the Book Rental Scheme, the Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to schools. 96% of primary schools and 69% of post primary schools operate a book rental scheme for parents,” they added.

A 2019 Barnardos report on the real cost of school said that average cost of books for a primary-school pupil is €85.

Single parents

Louise Bayliss, the founder and spokesperson of Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids (SPARK), said that one-income households are particularly vulnerable to price increases.

“You’re relying on one income and you’re not getting help like the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,” she said.

“Normally from about August, you hear parents starting to worry about back to school or maybe even mid-July, but it’s already started. It started before school even finished.”

Bayliss, who is also on the SVP social justice committee, says that while a lot of schools are accommodating, she sees instances of children being “shamed” for not having the correct uniform or textbooks every year.

“I definitely think the schools need to be more understanding,” she said.

“I know [the high costs] aren’t a school’s fault … but there are things that schools can do to make things better.”

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Jul 5th 2022, 6:46 AM

    No reason why schools / parents can’t allow a uniform swap. Our school allows no uniforms on the last week so uniforms can be washed, given to the school and then you simply collect whatever you need.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:01 AM

    @Dave Harris: Also parents should be made aware that under no circumstances should they be bullied into paying this “voluntary contribution”.

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    Mute Derek Power
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:12 AM

    @Dave Barrett: ah the voluntary contribution scam. Yes schools need money beyond what they are allocated, but to then hound families for not paying something that is “voluntary” is hilarious.

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    Mute Joan Grennan
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:32 AM

    @Dave Harris: I.was a teacher for 30 years and to be honest the only kids in the school with spanking new uniforms every year were those on the allowance .The squeezed middle had to take the trousers down and I had no qualms whatsoever about doing the same myself .Don’t want to offend or generalise but that’s how it was .Your suggestion is the way to go ,great idea .

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    Mute Joan Grennan
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:42 AM

    @Dave Harris: your suggestions are excellent and of course this business of upmarket uniforms is just fuelling class divisions and what have you . The uniform allowance seems to be v generous but what barometer is the Dept .using .Not Aldi and Lidl for sure

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    Mute The next small thing
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:31 AM

    If it’s not the department nor is it the principal or teachers then who are deciding on the uniforms? Is it the board of management? Apart from the cost, the one shop availability screams of backhanders also.

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    Mute Derek Power
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:13 AM

    @The next small thing: my question would be why is the uniform being changed at all. Backhanders to the shop and somebody else I would imagine. Sales are low so suddenly the uniform needs a third stripe on the sleeve.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:45 AM

    @Derek Power: spot on. Why change shops?. Been once on a parents association I saw this.

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    Mute Dermattg
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    Jul 5th 2022, 5:01 PM

    @The next small thing: i have served on a board of management. The board sanctioned the cheapest supplier. Backhanders from suppliers? No chance. The FSSU guidelines are clear. No way that can be done with annual audited accounts with codes for all transactions. A school running a recycling drive at the end of school year haa been a huge help and success.

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    Mute Darren
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:57 AM

    Always loved the line “Uniform only available in 1 shop in the area”

    Often wondered what sort of back handers are given to the school/principal for this ‘honour’

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    Mute Anne Busher Collins
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:51 AM

    All children’s school uniform should be based on items available in chain stores with stitch on crests available from the school. Aldi currently has a full uniform available for less than €10. My daughters uniform was very expensive, special pinafore in green, beige polo, beige socks. Even changing the polo and socks would have made it easier, try finding a beige polo in a chain store.

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    Mute O'connor Joanne
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:39 AM

    Uniforms aren’t that expensive compared to some of the runners I see many young kids with!!!

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    Mute FerucaSalt
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    Jul 5th 2022, 9:39 AM

    I think this is a storm in a teacup… those on low incomes or state payments receive the back to school allowance and this should really cover the cost of uniforms mostly. Books are a separate matter and ideally schools should do a book rental scheme. Those of us middle income earners are the ones who need help.

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    Mute Joan Grennan
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:34 AM

    @FerucaSalt: Not politically correct but correct in all ways besides .

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    Mute Larry Roe
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:43 AM

    changing the content of the school books means most of last years books are obsolete,what word did they change that now means a complete set of new books needs to be purchased,

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    Mute Derek Power
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:14 AM

    @Larry Roe: or reordered the chapters but changed none of the content.

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    Mute Hugh Mc Donnell
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    Jul 5th 2022, 7:33 AM

    Principles won’t give a dam about how difficult parents find it to kit children out in a new uniform. They will insist on girls wearing kilts and black patented shoes and boys all decked out.

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    Mute Dino Manning
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    Jul 5th 2022, 9:51 AM

    Give me a break! Every year same stupid discussions! Parents get back to school money, child benefit, family income supplement, milk in schools, sometimes breakfast and meals, help from charities, book rental schemes. Soon it will be have a child and the state will pay for everything! They all seem to have plenty for mobiles, fancy runners & hoodies for every day of the week.

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    Mute Irish Antichrist
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:13 AM

    How about wear normal clothes for education??

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    Mute Roger Bond
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:43 AM

    @Irish Antichrist: That won’t be cheaper on parents.
    Kids will want and get new clothes to compete with the other kids in the class.

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jul 5th 2022, 9:33 AM

    @Roger Bond: If they are given everything they ask for then it’s the parents fault.

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    Mute Handsome McWonderful
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:06 AM

    @Roger Bond: If no one can afford new clothes anymore then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

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    Mute Myles Tierney
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    Jul 5th 2022, 9:44 AM

    Since most uniforms sre broadly similar, bulk buying by groups of schools having similar uniforms ould lead to large reductions in individual costs. Dept. Ed. Minister please copy.

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    Mute RJ
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    Jul 5th 2022, 1:04 PM

    What is it with this country for ripping people off? Why is it that in England, the ONLY thing parents need to buy are uniforms. That’s it. No books, no copies, no stationary, no fancy pencil cases or school bags. The only thing that you might need to cough up for are school tours. That’s it. Why can’t this country follow suit???

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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Jul 5th 2022, 1:15 PM

    @RJ: because to government parties in power in this country for the last 100 hundred years couldn’t care less about the plebs, there only concern is the already privileged 1 percent.

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    Mute Evert Bopp
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    Jul 5th 2022, 10:25 AM

    Just abondon the whole stupid uniform requirement.
    It serves no realistic purpose and is hopelessly outdated.

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    Mute Don Hogan
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    Jul 5th 2022, 8:58 PM

    The requirements for the school uniform are out of hand and serve no useful purpose except to enrich the uniform suppliers. Uniforms should be limited to blue or black dress trousers for boys with white shirts and blue or black tie with school crest. The trousers and shirts can be warn any time. Only purchase is one time buy for tie with crest. For girls, uniform should consist of blue or black skirt, white blouse and blue or black sweater with sew-on school crest. Skirt, blouse and sweater can be warn any time. Cost for sew-on crest is minimal.

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