Back to school costs hit families hard

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Teachers are bracing themselves for a tough start as vulnerable families struggle with back to school costs due to the fallout from Covid-19.

Low decile schools are sourcing cheaper uniforms and stationery and informing parents that there is food support at school.

“For the more than 800 schools we support, this is a particularly challenging time of year, only exacerbated by Covid-19,” said KidsCan chief executive officer Julie Chapman.

“Children don’t arrive ready to learn. Many are hungry, missing a uniform, shoes, and stationery. They’re upset that they don’t fit in."

Chapman said one social worker told the charity about a "really smart kid who was so embarrassed he didn't have the right uniform he just stopped coming to school."

Education was a child's way out of poverty, she said, "so we're doing all we can to help remove these barriers."

Research has shown the challenges children living in poverty face every day, Chapman said.

"Some start the day sleep deprived in an overcrowded home," she said.

"There's not enough food for breakfast or lunch, no money for the bus.

"They don't have adequate shoes or rain gear."

Some of the children wouldn't make it to school at all, she said.

Others would arrive wet, in dirty clothes, feeling embarrassed, stressed and exhausted, she said.

The Colmar Brunton research found that teachers were getting hit from all angles with the job consuming their time, effort and money as they took care of child welfare before they could teach, she said.

One teacher was paying for pens, copy books and snacks out of their own pocket.

A principal was having to buy togs and towels at second-hand shops so students could attend swimming lessons, she said.

KidsCan aims to raise $350 000 to help support families with back to school costs.

You can go to www.backtoschool.org.nz... to buy items for school children including hot meals, breakfast, fleece-lined jackets, and shoes.

KidsCan’s principal partner, Meridian Energy, is kicking off the campaign by donating 25,000 hot meals to help fuel kids throughout the day.

People can also sign up to support a child on an on-going basis for $30 a month.

Go to www.backtoschool.org.nz... for more information.

Have you parents been hit hard by the impacts of Covid-19?

Will you find it hard to afford school uniforms and stationery for your kids this year?

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