By Sabrina Sweeney

There’s a ritual to August that many parents dread and that’s finalising the back-to-school list.

Even those super organised parents who bought uniforms at the end of June will likely have a few extras to buy before the summer ends. Regardless of the type of parent you are or when you manage to finally tick all the bits off the list, preparing for the new school year is a ritual that marks fresh starts, excitement and a large hole in your bank account.

Over the last few weeks, chatter among parents on local Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups, has been about how much they’re spending, not out of competition, but disbelief. Expensive uniforms, crested jumpers, specific shoes, books that must be bought new, technology subscriptions and schools’ voluntary contributions that feel anything but, are just some of the items causing headaches.

In many parts of Ireland and across the border, schools rely on fundraising activities managed by parents’ groups to plug the gap in funding they receive from government. A 2025 Irish Times survey of more than 200 primary schools found parents raising an average of €10,000 per school annually due to capitation funding falling short of day-to-day costs by roughly €25,000 on average. From bake sales and raffles to themed dress-up days, it’s easy to understand why no idea is off the table. With some schools running fundraisers once every month, parents are constantly dipping into their wallets or trying to source costumes that don’t leave their children feeling out of place. As well as the cost, these regular activities add to the mental load and have become a source of irritation for many parents who’d prefer a different approach, one that has less pressure, fewer extras and probably a more grounded school experience. But with school budgets under such strain, it wouldn’t be surprising if more schools started looking to parents to plug the gaps. And who could blame them? Many schools are trying to deliver more and more with less, along with managing rising utility bills, insurance premiums and maintenance costs, often without a matched increase in core funding.

So when a school sends out a letter asking for a voluntary contribution, it’s rarely done lightly. Government support does exist for some families. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested payment designed to help cover uniform and shoe costs. In 2025, the rates are set at €160 per child aged 4 to 11, and €285 for children aged 12 and over in second-level education. It’s a welcome support for those who qualify. But it’s also a fixed, once-off payment and it doesn’t cover wider school-related expenses such as books, classroom materials, technology, or school trips, which can be considerable, especially at secondary level.

In some cases, optional school trips or transition year programmes run into the hundreds of euro, making them difficult for many families to afford, whether they receive the allowance or not. The introduction of free schoolbooks at primary level is a significant step forward and has helped ease the burden for many families. The scheme is due to be extended to Junior Cycle in 2026, which is welcome. But where families are still being asked to make up the shortfall through voluntary contributions or pay for additional materials, the benefit of the scheme can feel diluted.

Teachers, too, are feeling the pressure. It’s not uncommon for them to buy items out of their own pockets to ensure their pupils have what they need. These are often quiet acts of generosity that go unnoticed, but they also speak to deeper questions about how adequately schools are resourced. This isn’t a criticism of schools. Most are doing their very best under challenging conditions. But it does raise important questions about the funding model for public education. When schools are relying on parental contributions to balance the books, the promise of free education is not being met in practice. It’s not just about the money but ensuring that all children, regardless of family income, can participate fully and comfortably in school life.

For many families in Donegal and beyond, this time of year comes with mixed feelings. There’s pride in seeing children return to school, in clean uniforms and full of potential. But the strain around the real cost of participation is very real for too many.