Putting School Costs into Perspective
I have just finished calculating the costs for Annie to attend a boarding school for one year. In order to attend boarding school, students must pay school fees and they must bring certain personal care items with them. These items include a cup and plate, a pail, bedding, soap, lotion, laundry detergent and toothpaste. They must also buy a school uniform including socks and shoes.
As I tally the totals for the items Annie is taking with her, I feel as if we are somehow cheating her. The individual cost of most items is minimal ($1.00 for a plate and $2.00 for laundry soap). The final cost of sending her to school for a whole is $350. This seems like such a small amount. When I convert the Canadian dollar amount into kwacha I see that it is well over a month’s full salary for most of my friends in Malawi. Given that most families have at least 3 children it’s not a wonder why so many can’t afford school fees.
Annie will be going to school with more than many of her peers. I have opted for her to have more than one uniform and Azikiwe decided she needed a suitcase for storing her belongings. I spoke to Annie earlier this week. She is very excited about starting school. She wants to study hard and make everyone proud.
Good luck Annie.
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