WITH back to school shopping well under way, parents have expressed frustration at the amount of stationery wasted each year.
According to some mothers, exercise books and other school supplies are prescribed on booklists but large quantities are sent back unused at the end of the year.
Redlands mum Jacki Bolzonello said it was difficult to re-use items – even when a younger child reached the applicable grade – when booklists changed.
“I believe (the) majority of parents don't mind forking out for their kid’s education,” Ms Bolzonello said.
“However it's annoying at the end of the year when you receive back supplies and half of the booklist is given back unused.”
She said that she had hoped leftover books could be used by a younger child but the booklists had changed.
“I have a big pile of books that I have accumulated over the years,” she said.
“I feel like I have just thrown money away.”
Melissa Eason said she was frustrated by having to buy reusable items year after year.
“I’ve brought seven dictionaries and six recorders for three children, and they never come home, yet (they are) on the list every year,” Ms Eason said.
Other parents said big ticket items such as iPads and laptops pushed their school costs beyond budget.
Bev Casey said her two children had to buy laptops or iPads but rarely needed to take them to school.
“That was a waste of money when they can use the desktop at home,” Ms Casey said.
An Education Department spokesperson said costs would vary from school to school and student to student.
“Education of children in state schools is a partnership between parents or guardians and the government,” the spokesperson said.
“State schools provide instruction, administration and facilities to students (while) parents provide their children with the resources necessary to participate in school.
“This includes textbook, stationery, art supplies and in some cases iPads, laptops or specialty programs.”
In many cases, school costs were hiked further by requests for donations of items like tissues, hand soap and copy paper.
While some parents in NSW thought it should be the government’s responsibility to supply communal classroom items, others were happy to provide these items so that schools could spend their budget on resources and upgrades, such as air conditioning.
The Education Department spokesperson said requests from schools could be in the form of classroom or other supplies.
“There is no obligation placed on the parent to provide a contribution, and there is no effect on a student’s education if a parent declines.”
The spokesperson said the Queensland government provided a textbook and resource allowance to parents of full and part-time secondary students.
The spokesperson said the allowance this year was $127 for students in years 7 to 10 and $276 for senior students.
