Back to school shopping
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
IT is Christmas Day and as everyone spends time with their loved ones, a common thought in most parents’ minds will be preparing their children for the resumption of school.
Certain parents across the country may already be rummaging through school supply lists to ensure their children are well-equipped for classroom learning by January.
Preparing for back to school may be strenuous for some as purchasing classroom essentials not only takes time, it also costs a lot of money. For some families it can be one of the biggest spends of the year, so planning and buying smarter can make a big difference to your budget.
Additionally, as COVID-19 is still amongst us, school supplies may not just be confined to books and stationery. Parents will also be buying personal protective equipment (PPE) for their children as the need to ensure protection in public spaces is still paramount. As children relish in the excitement of in-person learning, a few extra “pandemic supplies” may help keep them safe from COVID-19. While vaccination remains our best defence against the virus, it is crucial that maintaining health guidelines in school spaces are practised to keep children safe.
Therefore, while getting things ready for the reopening of schools, the first task which parents should be attentive to is preparing a safety pack for their children. Let’s look at some items which should be in the safety pack. Preparing a safety pack
1. Mask or face covering — make sure your child’s mask is clearly labelled to prevent accidental mix ups.
2. Keep spare masks or face coverings – parents should consider buying a backup mask and perhaps a backup for the backup. Children may end up losing their masks, so be sure they always have an extra.
3. Face mask clip or lanyard — Consider purchasing a lanyard and clip for your child’s mask as it will ensure that they never lose or forget their masks anywhere. This may also make it more fun for children to wear masks.
4. Resealable bag for soiled masks -— Arm your child with resealable plastic bags, and encourage them to store dirty masks safely inside them, instead of carrying soiled masks or tossing them in an open backpack.
5. Hand sanitiser — While schools may be supplying hand sanitisers for children, consider purchasing one so that it is always at hand. Find a hand sanitiser that can easily clip to their backpack is a quick and easy way to keep their hands germ-free.
6. Tissues - Buy multiple packs of personal tissues. If your child has tissues in a variety of places, from their backpack to their locker, they are more likely to use them (instead of their hands or sleeves). Alternatively, you can also provide handkerchiefs.
7. Hair ties – For kids with longer hair, hair ties are a must. Hair ties can help keep your child’s hair out of their face, which will discourage them from touching their face.
8. Reusable water bottle – Ensure that your child has a reusable water bottle. This will prevent them from directly drinking water from school taps.
9. Disinfecting wipes — A personal pack of disinfecting wipes can help your child learn the importance of a germ-free space, and give them peace of mind in public places.
Furthermore, with only a small window of time available between now and the start of school, parents are advised to consider the following tips when shopping for school supplies.
Tips for purchasing school supplies
1. Make a list – Since schools will be resuming the 2021 academic classes in 2022, parents may not be provided with any book or stationery list by schools. However, parents should conduct an inventory of school supplies available at home in order to determine what to purchase. Make a list and stick to it!
2. Reuse supplies — Use items from last year. Why purchase the same thing twice?
3. Research big ticket items - Before purchasing that expensive laptop, tablet, bags or even shoes, research about the different brands and check for warranty and customer reviews.
4. Look out for sales and discounts – Compare prices at different stores before finalizing your purchase.
5. Ask for student discounts – Many stores can offer discounts. If you do not see a discount advertised, it does not hurt to ask.
6. Know the return policies and save your receipts — Ask about return policies before making your purchase. Be sure to keep your receipts just in case something goes wrong with the product.
7. Shop safely online — When opting to shop online, be sure to only deal with registered and reputable businesses. Do not forget to check return policies and redress mechanisms of the online business in order to ensure that you have fail safes in place in case something goes wrong.
Parents who face issues while shopping for school supplies are encouraged to contact the council on toll-free number 155 or email complaints@consumersfiji. org. Alternatively, complaints can also be lodged on the Consumer Council of Fiji mobile app available for download on Google Play Store.
From the board, management and staff members of Consumer Council of Fiji, have a merry and safe Christmas!