School bags also hit by price hikes: Terrifying increase in costs

With the 2024-2025 academic year set to begin shortly, parents have headed to stationery stores for back-to-school shopping. Prices at stationery stores have increased by up to 70 percent compared to last year.

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The 2024-2025 academic year will begin on September 9. With schools set to open soon, the rush for stationery shopping has begun among parents.

Stationery items have also been affected by the price hikes seen across the board. Parents going out to buy backpacks, pencil cases, water bottles, and notebooks have been met with increased prices.

BACKPACK PRICE REACHES ONE THOUSAND LIRA

According to a report by NTV, a school bag could be filled for approximately one thousand lira last year. However, this year, the price of just one backpack has reached one thousand lira.

"WE ARE SEEING PRICE INCREASES OF UP TO 70 PERCENT"

Speaking about the price hikes, stationer Ebuzer Sayar said, "Whether we consider domestic production or imports, we are seeing price increases in stationery products ranging from 30 percent to 60 percent, and even up to 70 percent."

PARENTS REVOLT

One parent complaining about the price increases said, "Last year, I paid around 15 thousand for stationery for my 2 children; now I expect to pay over 20 thousand for just one child's stationery costs." 

Another parent stated, "Prices have risen quite a bit compared to last year. We request that the government lower VAT rates and help parents."

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FILL A SCHOOL BAG?

The cost of a student's school bag has been calculated as follows:

Backpack: 1,000 TL

4 notebooks and 5 pens: 600 TL

Lunch box: 300 TL

Pencil case: 250 TL

This year, a backpack was filled for 2,000 TL. Last year, backpacks were sold for 500 lira, and pencil cases for 65 TL.