With schools set to reopen in two days in Punjab, shopkeepers have raised stationery prices by up to 20 percent, adding to the financial burden on parents ahead of the new academic term.
School bags are now being sold for as much as Rs4,000, while a box of pencils has climbed to Rs210, according to local retailers. The price surge comes at a time when parents are already grappling with rising household expenses, leaving many struggling to cover the cost of basic school supplies.
Buyers say the increase in stationery prices will significantly add to the overall cost of educating their children this year.
Several parents noted that items such as bags, pencils, notebooks, and other essentials have become considerably more expensive compared to previous years, with no clear explanation from sellers for the sharp rise.
Retailers, meanwhile, have not commented on the reasons behind the price hikes, leaving parents with little choice but to absorb the added costs just days before classes resume.
Educational institutions are set to reopen on August 24, though the provincial School Education Department has yet to issue a final notification confirming the new academic session timings.
According to available information, schools operating on a single shift are likely to hold classes from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm on Mondays through Thursdays, with a shorter schedule on Fridays running from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Schools functioning on a double shift system are expected to run their first shift from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a second shift from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
With reopening only days away, students and parents have been seeking clarity on the revised schedule, though the department has not yet confirmed the timings officially.
