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Parents in Cape Verde are finalizing preparations for the upcoming school year while expressing concerns over the rising costs of educational materials. As the start of the academic term approaches, families are balancing household budgets to manage expenses for uniforms, stationery, and textbooks.
A market survey of local stationery stores and uniform retailers indicates a wide range of prices depending on quality and model. Notebooks are priced from 56 to over 2,020 escudos, while backpacks range between 600 and 8,000 escudos. Textbooks cost between 115 and 1,058 escudos, and school uniforms are priced between 700 and 2,000 escudos. Several parents interviewed noted that these costs, particularly for uniforms and multiple sets of books, place a significant financial burden on households with several children.
In addition to financial concerns, parents are adjusting to the government’s announcement of an extended school hours project. This pilot program, scheduled to begin on October 1 in Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago, aims to provide supervised activities for children aged 6 to 15 beyond regular class hours. While some parents expressed optimism that the initiative could provide a safe environment for children while parents work, others raised questions regarding how students will adapt to the longer daily routine.
Beyond logistics and costs, parents shared expectations for the new academic year. Concerns were raised regarding the physical weight of school bags, with some parents suggesting that schools should implement storage solutions to reduce the burden on students. Others emphasized the need for schools to prioritize student behavior and foster a respectful environment to ensure academic success.
The original report was published in the September 16, 2026, edition of Expresso das Ilhas.
Article source: expressodasilhas.cv | Image credit: expressodasilhas.cv
