Meeting those back-to-school costs

Petulia Clarke, Staff Reporter

SUMMER'S almost done and it's time to get the children ready to go back to school. Proper high school planning takes a lot of smarts and, as soon as you realise the three main entry areas to budget for, mounting expenses should be a thing of the past.

Entry into first, fifth and sixth forms are the most transitional and bear the highest costs to parents each time. At first form, the parent has to create a whole new image for the child separate from primary school; fifth form presents the CXC years and sixth form equals new uniforms, sometimes new schools and 'A' level costs.

There are necessities for each area. For one there are changing book lists, added fees, uniform and other expenses like Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) costs. School fees for entry into most secondary schools now range from $6,000-$19,000 for Government-aided institutions(note that some fees include book rental and special student aid development funds). The bulk could also include PTA expenses as well. Most school fees are paid at the beginning of the school year and is tenable for one year.

The school fee is the first and most important thing to secure. Uniforms follow. While many schools are now stepping up to supply uniforms at the school, the option for most still lie in either buying them store-made or purchasing the material and having them made by a dressmaker.

Joy Barnes, the mother of 12-year-old Paula, who will go to Greater Portmore High in September, says that she bought four-and-a-half yards of white cotton material to make three blouses for $60 a yard ($270) and four-and-a-half yards of tunic material at $80 per yard to make three uniform dresses ($360). The going cost around Kingston for the estimated yard and a half of material that it will take to make a tunic for an average first former ranges from $40-$150 per yard depending on the type of material. Ready-made tunics would include this cost plus estimated dressmakers fees.

Dressmakers fees range from a low of $350 to a high of $750 for just a tunic. School blouses cost around $200-250 each to make. From scouting around, stores like Carby's Discount Centre in Twin Gates Plaza has boys khaki pants for around $499 plus tax and shirts for $329. Hanna's Better Buy's khaki shirts range from $189-$235, and white school blouses go from $174.99. Most stores also stock material and Physical Education gear. School bags go as low as $100 and socks can be had at $27.99 at Hanna's.

Shoes complete the uniform. Sammy's in Half-Way Tree has shoes from $399 for girls and boys. School shoes in leather which can last for the whole year range from this price to around $700-$1,200 at other stores. Hair accessories, school supplies and other miscellaneous items for a year could cost around $5,000 depending on where you shop.

Stores like Woolworth has geometry sets, notebooks, pencils, glue, erasers in packages cheap. Also vendors in downtown Kingston sell notebooks as cheaply as $50 per dozen, pencils, erasers and other necessities.

Next come the books. Luckily, in most if not all secondary schools, the Ministry of Education has implemented the Book Rental Scheme to help parents cut costs. This scheme is available to all students in technical, high, newly upgraded, all age and primary schools. Under the scheme students receive textbooks in all subject areas except reading and English Literature for $600-$1,000. Books are selected from the approved textbook list distributed by the Education Ministry. For the third to sixth form student who does Literature, budget about $8,000 for books.

You can't forget food and transport. There are about 255 schooldays in the year. Lunch for the average high schooler is $150 per day ($38,250 for the year). Transportation works out in Kingston to about $40 per day on the Government buses. That would be $10,200 for the year. Add afternoon snacks, breakfast and the price goes up.

Fifth form

CXCs have to be paid for early on when the child enters fifth form. According to the Overseas Examinations office, the cost of doing one subject in high school is $796 per subject while practical subjects cost $150 more. The general entry fee is $930. This is in addition to school fees for the year. Also consider the cost of extra classes which now go for around $500-$1,000 for a few hours per day or week.

Sixth form

'A' levels cost $1,595 per subject. Most students sit three 'A' levels including General Paper which cost $1,070. Entry fee is $790. Extra lessons are extremely important here and are more expensive than CXCs. At sixth form you pay more for new uniforms and school fees. Books for 'A' levels also cost in the thousands of dollars and past papers too are expensive.

How to afford it

Since 1993, the Government has offered financial assistance to parents who are unable to provide school fees for their children. For a student to be eligible for this benefit, he or she must be enrolled in a secondary school, and the parents must provide proof that they are unable to pay the school fee. The Govern-ment will pay up to a half depending on need.

Some financial institutions allow you to borrow on your savings and still earn an interest on your account balance. You can also use your house/car title to borrow money for tuition, books and other educational expenses.

Bulk purchasing gives better deals. Scout around, try buying in downtown Kingston, where the prices are better. Get with another parent and buy books or socks at wholesale prices.

Shop for needs not wants. If you can't afford the trendy knapsack, opt for one of the knockoffs.