Back-to-school expenses are a real burden - parent

Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

The streets of downtown Kingston were filled with people doing back-to-school shopping yesterday, with prices being a major concern among shoppers.

Some persons scanned different stores trying to find the best deals, while others were intent only on purchasing the essentials.

For Lesley Williams, whose son is heading to third form at high school, back-to-school expenses are a real burden.

"It tough. The prices are expensive, but we just have to do it so that them can go out to school. I normally would buy early, but this year is different because I just get the money," he explained.

"I don't have enough money. I just buy shoes for my daughter and I don't have the money to pay for the uniform and I don't have the money to pay for my son's auxiliary fees, so I don't know how I am going to manage," said a worried Sharon McBean.

Parnella Tenant said she would have to continue shopping for her son even after school begins.

"It is so bad, him only get two of his books and he will have to wear his church shoes to school because I don't have the money. All I am doing now is to ensure him get the khaki, even though it is so expensive," she said.

At Joseph's on King Street, khaki shirts and pants were the best-selling items, according to employee Roger Williams.

"The khaki sells the most. We are running out of sizes. Persons complain about the cost, but the US dollar is going up so we have to pay the suppliers more, hence we can't do any better," he said.