Back to School Stress Hits Home As 95% Of Parents Feel The Financial Squeeze

Back To School Stress Is Becoming A Household Reality

The school bell may signal a fresh start for children, but for many South African parents, back-to-school season brings a familiar knot in the stomach. A new survey has revealed that nearly all parents feel financial and emotional pressure when preparing for the academic year, highlighting just how costly education has become for ordinary households.

According to 1Life Insurance’s annual Back-to-School Survey for the 2026 academic year, a staggering 95% of parents describe the back-to-school period as stressful. Behind that figure are countless difficult conversations, delayed purchases, and careful budgeting as families try to give their children the best possible start.

Where The Money Hurts The Most

School uniforms and fees remain the biggest pain point. Nearly two-thirds of parents surveyed said these costs place the greatest strain on their budgets, even though this figure is slightly lower than last year. Stationery followed as the second-largest expense, while transport, food, and extramural activities also added to the financial load.

Only a tiny fraction of parents said back-to-school costs were not a concern, underlining how widespread the pressure has become across income groups. Even families using no-fee schools or accessing bursaries still feel the knock-on costs that come with sending children to class.

Rising Living Costs Make It Worse

The back-to-school squeeze does not happen in isolation. Ongoing increases in food, transport, and basic household expenses are making it harder for parents to absorb education costs. Seven out of ten families said they spent more during the 2025 academic year than the year before, driven largely by higher everyday living expenses.

For many households, this means education spending competes with essentials like groceries, electricity, and transport to work, turning January and February into financially fragile months.

Parents Are Adapting And Finding Workarounds

Despite the pressure, the survey points to growing resilience among parents. More families are becoming strategic about how they manage school-related costs. Comparing prices has become common practice, while others reuse supplies from previous years or spread purchases across several months instead of paying everything upfront.

Some parents rely on bonuses or savings to get through the back-to-school period, while others carefully align expenses with their monthly income. Encouragingly, more than a quarter of respondents said their budgeting has improved compared to previous years, and nearly half feel confident they will be able to afford their children’s education over the next two years.

Why Planning Matters More Than Ever

Financial experts say the findings highlight the importance of year-round planning. Education costs do not stop after the first term, and unexpected expenses can quickly push families into debt if they are unprepared.

Understanding household spending, applying to schools on time, and seeking available financial support can ease some of the pressure. While back-to-school season remains emotionally and financially demanding, small changes in planning and budgeting can make a meaningful difference.

A Quiet Reminder Of What Parents Carry

Behind every neatly packed school bag is a parent making sacrifices to keep things together. The survey paints a clear picture of how deeply education costs are felt in South African homes, but it also reflects a quiet determination. Parents continue to adapt, prioritise, and push forward, even as the cost of raising and educating children keeps climbing.

Back-to-school stress may be the norm, but so too is the resilience of families determined to secure a better future for their children.

{Source:IOL}

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