Expense associated with enrolling a first grader in school
In Russia, the new school year is approaching, and parents of first-graders are preparing to purchase a full set of school supplies. However, exact figures for the cost of these supplies in Russia are not readily available.
The list of required items includes a variety of stationery and writing supplies, such as folder covers, pencil cases, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, rulers, sharpeners, erasers, drawing albums, paints, brush sets, individual brushes, "non-spill" water containers, plasticine, modeling board, knives, colored and white paper, cardboard, glue (PVA and glue stick), and round-tip scissors.
A set of ten squared notebooks and ten lined notebooks, which form a basic set for a first-grader, will cost approximately 80 rubles. Prices for these items have remained stable compared to last year. Notebooks are available in lined and squared formats and cost from 0.21 to 0.85 rubles per unit.
A diary is not required for first-graders, as it is only started in the third grade. The price of a diary has remained the same from last year.
If parents choose the most expensive options for all items, the total cost will exceed 330 rubles. Simple and colored pencils cost from a few kopecks to 15 rubles, while pens with blue ink range from 0.22 kopecks per piece to 18 rubles for an expensive model, with sets costing up to 10 rubles.
Glue (PVA and glue stick) costs 1.8-3.2 rubles, round-tip scissors cost 4-9 rubles, rulers cost from 0.45 to 9 rubles, sharpeners cost 0.58-8.88 rubles, and erasers cost 0.53-5.81 rubles. Colored and white paper, cardboard cost from 1 to 5 rubles per set.
Comparable countries show stationery/school supply costs for first-grade students between approximately 20–120 USD per year, excluding uniforms or additional gear. Based on regional economic comparisons, a rough estimate for a full set of stationery and writing supplies for a first-grader in Russia could be in the range of approximately 1,500 to 3,000 Russian rubles (about 20–40 USD).
While this estimate is an inference rather than direct data, it suggests that the cost of school supplies for first-graders in Russia is generally lower than in the U.S., but higher than in many developing countries.
In other news, a third physical education class has been added to the schedule for the new school year. Unfortunately, a TikTok video featuring parents of preschoolers addressing Lukashenko has disappeared. It seems they didn't achieve anything.
In conclusion, parents of first-graders in Russia need to purchase a full set of around 30 different items, with prices ranging from a few kopecks to over 330 rubles for the most expensive options. While exact figures are not available, a rough estimate based on regional economic comparisons suggests that the cost of school supplies for a first-grader in Russia could be approximately 1,500 to 3,000 Russian rubles (about 20–40 USD).
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