Parents and guardians in Tema are voicing concerns over the rising costs of school supplies as their children prepare to enter Senior High Schools. A visit to the Tema Central Market and other trading centers revealed that prices of commonly purchased school items have increased compared to last year. Parents are having to bargain with traders to stay within their budgets. The items in question include chop boxes and trunks, mattresses, school bags, uniform materials, footwear, and stationery.
The price hikes are affecting parents, particularly those who need to purchase several items within a short period. A chop box or trunk that sold for about GH¢270 last year is now selling for between GH¢300 and GH¢330 at some shops. Student mattresses, previously sold from about GH¢250, are now selling from GH¢280. The price of some large school bags has also increased from about GH¢100 to GH¢150. Madam Salomey Sugaa, a parent, expressed concern that the increases have placed an additional financial burden on parents.
Other parents, including Madam Mawusi Semanu and Mr. Kojo Annan, share similar concerns, stating that traders are taking advantage of the peak period to increase their profit margins. They noted that parents have little choice but to purchase the required items for their children's admission to school. The price increases are a significant challenge for parents, who are already under financial pressure.
However, traders attribute the price increases to higher costs from manufacturers and distributors. Mr. Ametefe Serlom, a mattress trader, explained that manufacturers and distributors set the mattress prices, resulting in relatively small profit margins for retailers. He stated that the high prices have also affected sales, as many parents are bargaining extensively before making their purchases.
Another trader, Ms. Kesewa Boboo, noted that the presence of temporary sellers who enter the market during the peak school-shopping period has intensified competition. She stated that some people who normally do not trade in school supplies enter the market during the season to take advantage of increased demand, thereby affecting the business of established school-item retailers.
Despite the challenges, parents and students continue to move from one shop to another in search of affordable items, with some comparing prices before making purchases. The Ghana News Agency observed that the market remains busy, with parents and students seeking to purchase the necessary items for the upcoming school year.
The rising cost of school supplies is a significant concern for parents and guardians in Tema, as they strive to provide their children with the necessary materials for a successful academic year. The situation highlights the need for stakeholders to address the issue of price increases and find ways to make school supplies more affordable for parents.
Key points
- Parents in Tema are concerned about the rising costs of school supplies.
- Traders attribute the price increases to higher costs from manufacturers and distributors.
- The price hikes are affecting parents, particularly those who need to purchase several items within a short period.
