1、Back to School Survey Full ReportJuly 2024The Real Cost of School in 2024July 31st 2024 Barnardos Ireland barnardos.ie 4 Christchurch Square Dublin 8,D08 DT63 Page 1 of 19 Table of contents Introduction 02 Methodology 03 Profile of parents 03 Back to school costs 04-Paying for costs 05-Uniforms 08-B

2、ack to school allowance 11-Schoolbooks and classroomresources-Digital tools-Voluntary contributions-School tours and extra-curricular activities Conclusion and recommendations 13 14 15 16 18 July 31st 2024 Barnardos Ireland barnardos.ie 4 Christchurch Square Dublin 8,D08 DT63 Page 2 of 19 1.Introduc

3、tion For 20 years,Barnardos has highlighted the costs incurred by parents in preparing their children to return to school each September,reporting on the pressures parents are directly experiencing in providing for back to school costs.Government need to prevent schools from adding all these extra c

4、osts on families.A right to free education isnt happening.(Primary school parent)Although the Irish Constitution guarantees all children have a right to free education in Ireland,this has never truly been the case.In Budget 2023,the Government took a progressive step towards making it a reality by p

5、roviding free schoolbooks to all primary school students and the junior cycle in secondary school.However,despite this development,school expenses remain high for many parents,with some finding themselves in financial distress each summer as they try to meet back to school costs.A basic need and rig

6、ht of children shouldnt be crippling families across the nation in order to care for their educational wellbeing.(Secondary school parent)Education is supposed to be free and it is not there are constant fee requests from the school its too much pressure.(Secondary school parent)It is important the