by Hind Ahmed
“Schools are around the corner” is a phrase repeated by every member of a family that has school-age children. As September, the month of school, begins, preparations for the new school year start, including buying the uniform, books and stationary with what is left of the budget of parents after paying the school fees. However, it has become a purely commercial process based on supply and demand. Preparations by vendors began, as buyers are also getting ready, through setting up the price list of all school supplies ranging from stationery to copybooks and explanation books which suffer a delay in publishing some of them. Some stores sell garments that resemble school uniforms.
The Middle East Observer began a tour of the main commercial markets that sell school supplies, which are expected to witness a high turnout as they offer the majority of school supplies in one place at affordable prices. One of these markets is known as El Faggala.
Ahmed Seddik, a bookstore owner, says that all the school supplies are already awaiting parents as he sees that the buying movement is still limited and does not cope with the approach of the school season, pointing out that the reason for this is the approach of the Greater Bairam, which comes before the start of the school year and therefore most families are preoccupied with the costs of the Bairam.
As for the prices, Seddik sees that so far there is no tangible increase compared with last year, but there may be a slight increase with the approach of the school year. He added that the highest turnout will be in buying large quantities of copybooks, pens and pencils to benefit from the wholesale price.
Mohammed Abdullah, a bookstore owner and wholesaler, stressed that the Faggala market is in silence now and the sales measuring and comparing of prices can be done during the week prior to the start of the school year when parents usually buy their supplies.
Mahmoud Hussein, a parent, said he came to buy some supplies, taking advantage of the unusual state of calm in Faggala, pointing out that he only bought three dozen copybooks for 12 pounds to take advantage of the price difference in the wholesale.
As for the difference between Faggala market and bookstores, he said there is not much difference in prices, only in the case of wholesale purchases. He said there are a lot of vendors and therefore a parent can choose the best to buy from, adding that he can barter with the vendors.
Mahmoud Saad, a seller of school bags, said the prices are higher than last year, especially for children and primary students because it is usually hard to convince a child not to get a new school bag even if his previous year’s bag is still useable.
Karim Ahmed tells of his suffering with the first year school for his daughter Salma, saying she insisted on preparing early for the school year. The school uniform is available at school and its price is part of the school fees. There are also the shoes, new socks and even hair accessories and the school bag, which cost EGP110. All parents are equally suffering ahead of the new school year at all stages, he said.
