Bulgarian parents face rising costs for mandatory school uniforms

Parents in Bulgaria are facing significant financial pressure due to the rising costs of mandatory school uniforms. In some cases, families are paying between 200 and 350 euros to equip their children for the new school year. These costs include multiple items such as T-shirts, sweaters, skirts, and trousers.

Market monitoring in Sofia indicates that the prices of basic school uniforms have increased by 35% to 50% over the last five years. For example, a T-shirt with a school logo that cost approximately 15 leva in 2021 now exceeds 37 leva. The lack of choice is a major concern, as some schools require parents to purchase clothing from a single specific supplier.

As a result of these high costs, a secondary market has emerged on social media platforms like Facebook, where parents sell, exchange, or gift outgrown uniforms. Asen Alexandrov, Chairman of the Association of Directors in Bulgaria, suggested that the requirement to use a single supplier should be discussed with public councils and student bodies, noting the difficulty of maintaining uniformity if parents purchase from multiple different companies.