With just one week to go before the start of the 2026/2027 school year, parents in Cabo Verde are busy making final preparations for their children's return to school. Eunice Vanusa, a mother of two, has almost everything ready, including school bags, notebooks, and other essentials. However, she plans to delay buying textbooks until the following week, hoping to take advantage of her end-of-month salary.
The cost of school materials is a significant concern for many families, particularly those with multiple children in school. Suzi Lima, a mother of four, has already purchased school uniforms and bags for her children, but still needs to buy textbooks and other materials. She notes that the cost of uniforms is a significant expense, and she is worried about the financial burden of supporting her children's education.
A survey of local stationery stores and uniform shops by Expresso das Ilhas found that prices for school materials vary widely depending on the type and quality. Notebooks can cost anywhere from 56 to over 2,000 escudos, while school bags range from 600 to 8,000 escudos. Textbooks can cost between 115 and 1,058 escudos, and school uniforms range from 700 to 2,000 escudos.
Parents are also concerned about the impact of rising costs on their household budgets. Sara Vieira, a mother of three, admits that she has been delayed in making preparations due to financial constraints. She expects to spend around 9,000 escudos on school materials, which is a significant expense for her family. Alice, another mother, notes that the cost of school materials is becoming increasingly heavy for families, particularly those with multiple children in school.
One of the new features of the upcoming school year is the expansion of school hours, announced by the government. The pilot project aims to provide supervised activities for students beyond regular school hours, supporting families and alleviating the burden on grandparents who often care for children. The project is set to launch on October 1st on the islands of Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago.
The extended school day will offer a range of activities, including reading, sports, music, dance, theater, and painting, as well as study support. While some parents welcome the initiative, others are still uncertain about its benefits. Eunice Tavares believes that the extra time could be used for complementary activities, such as sports and arts, rather than additional academic classes.
As the new school year approaches, parents in Cabo Verde are navigating the challenges of rising costs and changing educational policies. While some are well-prepared, others are struggling to make ends meet. The government's initiative to expand school hours aims to support families, but its impact remains to be seen.
Key points
- The cost of school materials is a significant concern for many families in Cabo Verde.
- The government's expansion of school hours aims to support families and alleviate the burden on grandparents.
- Parents are divided on the benefits of the extended school day, with some welcoming the initiative and others expressing concerns.
