How much will parents and guardians invest?

After weeks of uncertainty caused by the post-election crisis in Venezuela, Parents and representatives finally begin to take to the streets to carry out Purchases of school supplies and uniforms for the beginning of the new year 2024-2025scheduled for September 30. Over the past two years, prices at fairs, department stores, bookstores and stationery stores in Caracas have remained fairly stable, however, for families with an average income of between $130 and $200 per month, it is still a challenge to acquire these items, the cost of which can exceed $150 per student.

On a tour conducted by The National At school fairs held in areas such as Catia, west of the capital, Plaza El Venezolano, in the centre of Caracas, and in Chacaíto, east of the city, a moderate influx of buyers was recorded.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

While some parents and representatives are just asking for a quote for school supplies and uniforms in various parts of the city, others are already finishing their purchases, which they say they made little by little due to the difficulty of acquiring all the items in a single fortnight.

In Catia, where a small school fair is being held on the area’s boulevard, and in Chacaíto, vendors say that so far there has not been an increase in purchases, something they hope will happen in the coming weeks, as the start of classes approaches.

However, in El Venezolano square, at a fair led by an organization of Women Entrepreneurs, the vendors report that, Once the crisis following the presidential elections of July 28 has been overcome, Shoppers have begun to stock up on school supplies and uniforms for the start of school. Sales are expected to soar even further in the coming weeks.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

How much does a school supplies list cost in Venezuela?

The cost of a school list in Venezuela can varyas it depends on what is requested by the institution, which in the case of a private school is more demanding, as well as the grade in which the student is. In addition, another important factor in prices is the brand of the supplies and the place where they are purchased.

In general, A school list for a basic education student at the popular fairs of Caracas can cost between 15 and 30 dollarswhile if it is a high school student the price can range from 20 to 50 dollars, not including school texts. For preschool-aged children, the cost exceeds $60.due to the large amount of materials that institutions usually request for the little ones in the house.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

The large notebooks They can be purchased for as little as a dollar, both at fairs and in department stores. In most of the places visited by The National There are offers for 6 notebooks of one subject for 5 dollars, or 12 for 10 dollars. As for the notebooks of 6 subjects, the cost goes from 4 dollars and up.

The price of the colors The range of colors is very varied. The box of 12 units costs from one dollar to more than 10 dollars, depending on the brand. The 24 and 36 color presentations exceed 4 dollars. As for the pencilsthe box starts at $1, while the most well-known brands go for $2.50 and up.

The ream of letter-sized paper can be purchased for $5 and up, while other basic items such as white glue, scissors, eraser and pencil sharpener They can be purchased from 0.5 cents, just like papers such as bond, gloss, silk and cellophane, among others.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

The precision squares and compasses They usually cost from $2 onwards, while the blunt tip scissors They are available for $1. drawing, math and exam block They range from $2.

A good option for parents and representatives are the combos of tools which are offered at some school fairs. At Catia, for 10 dollars, you can buy 6 notebooks, 6 pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener and a box of crayons; for 15 dollars, you can buy 8 notebooks, 6 pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener, a white glue, 2 pencils, a box of crayons and 50 letter-sized sheets.

There are also combos that cost a little more. For $20, the fairs offer 12 notebooks, a box of pencils, a box of crayons, a sharpener, an eraser, 50 letter-sized sheets of paper, markers, glue sticks, and 2 pencils. While for $25 you can buy 12 notebooks, a box of pencils, a box of crayons, a sharpener, an eraser, markers, white glue, glue sticks, 50 letter-sized sheets of paper, 2 pencils, and whiteout.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

The cost of the school bags It also depends a lot on the size and quality. At fairs you can get small ones for $5 and larger ones for $8 or two for $15. There are also $10 options and combos that include the lunch box and pencil case for between $20 and $35. As for these items, The National He was able to confirm that department stores have more competitive prices, starting at $5 for large bags.

While in recent years the request for school books The number of books on offer at Venezuelan schools has increased, but the offer remains limited. Only in Chacaíto is there a variety of texts for all grades, while the rest of the fairs only offer reading books for preschool or the first grades of basic education. Parents and guardians can find school texts in bookstores, institutional supply stores, and in the stores located under the bridge on Fuerzas Armadas Avenue.

Textbook prices can range from $3 to $35.The most expensive ones tend to be encyclopedias, some for high school students, and activity books for preschool and elementary school children.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

School uniform prices

The purchase of school uniforms is usually the most expensive option for parents and guardians. Taking into account the cheaper prices offered both at school fairs and in department stores, It takes around $50 to buy a student’s uniform.: two shirts or chemise, two pairs of trousers or skirts, a pair of school shoes, a jumpsuit, a flannel shirt, socks and a belt.

The chemise and dress shirts They can be purchased at school fairs for as little as $4, with 3-for-$10 promotions, while in department stores the price can start at $3.25. Some brands can even cost more than $20.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

The pants They range from 4 to 10 dollars at fairs, depending on the size and type of fabric. Some stores offer 3 units for 10 dollars. In large department stores, prices range from 6 dollars. As for the school skirtsthe cost varies between 5 and 8 dollars.

As for the monkeysvary greatly depending on the material they are made of, but can be purchased from $4 to $20. sports shirts They are between one and three dollars, depending on the size, with promotions of 3 units for 5 dollars.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

The white stockings They are from 0.50 cents and up and you can find promotions of three pairs for 1 dollar or a dozen for 5 dollars. flannels from a dollar and other items that are also usually part of the uniforms, such as strapsare starting at $10 and the sweaters from $8.

The offer of shoes is scarce this 2024 at school fairs compared to previous years. In the tour carried out by The National Only a few stores were observed with shoe offers starting at $10.

Photo by Miguel Alfonzo

In department stores, shoes start at $8, while in shoe stores they cost from $10 for the cheapest to $40 or $50 for the most expensive. Sports shoes also start at $8, depending on quality and size.

At fairs there are promotions for a pair of pants, a jumpsuit and a shirt for 10 dollars, in sizes 2 to 12.

@ErikaHDelaR