School return costs in Tirana reach 37,200 lekë per child

While public education in Albania is free, the practical costs of returning to school present a significant financial burden for families. An observation of prices in Tirana indicates that the total cost for a single child to acquire essential items—including a backpack, stationery, sneakers, and a basic wardrobe—can reach approximately 37,200 lekë.

These expenses stem from a cumulative effect of many small purchases, such as notebooks, pens, colored pencils, rulers, and book covers, combined with larger necessities like school uniforms and sports clothing. For families with multiple children, the financial pressure increases significantly, although some costs may be mitigated by reusing items from previous years.