Amidst the recent hike of petrol pump price, a Nigerian Writer, Vivian UD has urged parents to “cut their coat according to their cloth” as they prepare for their children’s return to school.
Speaking during an interview with NewsNGR, UD disclosed that with the hike, many parents are struggling to pay for school fees while some have already decided to withdraw their children from using school buses due to the increased fare.
UD advises parents to inspect their children’s school supplies and reuse items in good condition to cut down on unnecessary spending.
“Last week I was busy thinking about school resumption, back to school items and bills to pay here and there.
“I thought I would be able to buy new school bags, lunch boxes, school shoes and socks for them. After checking my bank account and looking at things around me, I called the kids to bring out all their old school bags, shoes and socks.
“I soaked all the socks with hypo and hot water. I took all the bags to a woman I know that fixes bag. I told her to change zip on the ones that need zip.
“Two days ago, I took all their shoes and sandals to a shoe shiner to fix them. I came back home and had them washed.
“I went to the market and got pants for the girls and boxers for the boys. I asked for a price for a singlet and I almost fainted. I only bought it for my senior boy and asked that he transfers his old singlet to his younger brother.”
She encouraged parents not to let economic hardship get them down, but instead to make the most of what they have and manage their resources wisely.
“You must not buy new things for your kids to go back to school with. Stop assuming things are okay for everyone. Many of us have just learnt to manage ourselves and make do with what we have. You are not in competition with anyone, so stop putting yourself under pressure,” he said.