started · updated
School year preparations bring rising costs and infrastructure concerns
As the new school year approaches, families in several regions face significant financial and logistical challenges. In Romania, the cost of school supplies and books has increased by up to 12% over the past year, with total preparation costs for a single child estimated between 1,200 and 3,000 lei. To support students, the Romanian government has allocated 802.4 million lei for the 2026-2027 school food program, covering milk, fruit, vegetables, and bakery products for over 1.86 million beneficiaries.
In the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the government provides free textbooks and transportation for students living more than three kilometers from school, parents must still cover costs for backpacks, stationery, clothing, and other essentials. Similarly, in Serbia, the municipality of Priboj is providing 20,000 dinars to each first-grade student to assist with these expenses.
Infrastructure concerns also persist in Romania. In Vâlcea, Arad, and Bistrița-Năsăud, numerous school buildings are reported to be operating without necessary sanitary or fire safety certifications, often due to a lack of running water or ongoing rehabilitations. Additionally, Romanian ninth-grade students will be the first to implement a new curriculum focused on competency-based learning and adapted textbooks.
Entities
Arad · Bistrița-Năsăud · Brčko district · Czech Banking Association · Czech Republic · Lukáš Kovanda · Ministerstvo školstva Slovenskej republiky · Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic · Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports · Municipality of Priboj · National Institute of Public Health · O2
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The total cost for a child's school supplies, clothing, and footwear can range from 1,200 to over 3,000 lei.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2026-2027 school year begins on September 7.
- [DISPUTED] Equipping a backpack for primary school students costs between 150 and 160 lei. telem.ro
- [DISPUTED] A fully equipped backpack costs an average of approximately 200 lei. telem.ro
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Equipping a backpack for middle school students also starts at 150-160 lei. telem.ro