Kenya school supplies including uniforms and books are among the most expensive in the world ahead of some developed countries like the United Kingdom, United States, and Spain, a new report shows.
A report by World Remit has revealed that school uniforms in Kenya are expensive compared to the costs in 21 other countries surveyed.
Uniforms in Kenya cost Ksh49,339 (USD346.95), which is more than triple the price in the UK where it goes for Ksh13,089 (USD92.11).
The countries surveyed include US, Australia and Spain, France, Cameroon, Morocco, Lebanon, and Zimbabwe.
Others include Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Nigeria India, Mexico, Tanzania, Uganda, Philipines, and Canada.
According to the report, it costs a household in Kenya Ksh224,587 (USD1,578.82) to get school supplies compared to ksh42,896 (USD301.66) in the UK and Ksh60,181 (USD423.07) in the US.
World Remit has revealed some of the items that recorded an increase in prices in 2023 include notebooks, polo shirts, socks, rulers, gym shoes, and colouring pencils.
"Worldwide inflation will also hit back-to-school shopping in 2023. As inflation persists and supply chain issues continue to arise across multiple sectors, it comes as no surprise that countries around the world can expect back-to-school costs and prices to rise," read part of the report.
To help out parents during the tough economic times, World Remit has urged parents to seek deals and accounts.
Additionally, parents should also search for the best prices both online and in physical shops. They should also buy second-hand school essentials.
"You can save money by buying back-to-school essentials in thrift stores or from second-hand websites," read part of the report.
World Remit also advises using items found lying around the house like pencils, sharpeners, and backpacks.
