The education sector is grappling with the profound impacts of rising inflation, as both students and parents find themselves unable to keep up soaring costs. Citizens shed light on the stark impact of inflation on articles used in education such as stationery and books, among others.
Over the past three months, the prices of essential stationery has surged by an alarming 30 percent. This trend is exemplified by an Rs300 increase in the price of books from private schools. Even the most basic items, such as pencils, have doubled in price, now costing between Rs20 and Rs25. “The rising cost of paper has compounded the issue further," said a local resident while talking to reporters on Sunday.
Worries among guardians have deepened due to inflation and they have demanded immediate attention from the government to curb it. "The pursuit of education will become an arduous task. The rising costs threaten not the progress of the nation's literacy rate, but also shatter the aspirations of educated individuals who dream of a brighter future," said a parent.
Shopkeepers attributed the mounting prices to new taxes imposed by the government.
Amid this struggle, students, parents, and stationery vendors have united in their plea to the government for intervention.
Their shared demand was for concrete measures to be taken to alleviate inflation. By doing so, they hope that education will remain accessible not just for the privileged, but for all segments of society.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2023.
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