Huambo - Parents and guardians in central Huambo province on Wednesday expressed concern about the price hike of school materials verified in recent days and called on greater attention and supervision by the authorities.
Speaking to ANGOP about the preparations for the 2024/2025 school year, when classes are scheduled to start on Monday, parents said this is a very complicated situation that is affecting the purchase of teaching materials, given the current financial difficulties that families are facing.
João Baptista, who is responsible for the education of five children, said prices are high and, for the time being, he has only bought materials for three of his children, an investment of more than 10,000 Kwanzas.
He said it is not easy to buy quality backpacks and notebooks for his children, as prices have soared in recent weeks due to the high demand from parents.
Cristina Eduardo, a mother of two in the 5th and 9th grades, said the high prices forced to buy simply two packs of notebooks, which is not enough so her children could start the school year and later add more.
She said many parents are resorting to informal markets because they are a little cheaper than traditional shops selling school supplies and supermarkets, a situation that should be given prompt attention by the authorities.
Daniel Luakuiti lamented the rise in prices for uniforms, backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other items, which shows that commercial agents are taking advantage.
He called for the creation of appropriate places or markets for the purchase of books, especially primary school books, in order to curb profiteering and speculation in the market.
Angelina do Carmo said that she preferred to buy the notebooks last June, because at this stage of the year there is usually a rise in the price of materials.
Martinho Sequesseque, the guardian of four pupils, said that the cost of acquiring these books is not easy, given the continuous devaluation of salaries.
He called for the prices of books to be subsidized or better supervised by the Angolan government, so that they are accessible to all.
At least 943,962 pupils will attend the 2024/2025 school year in Huambo province, 33,000 more than in the previous year. ZZN/JSV/ALH/DAN/AMP
