It’s back to school!

As many colleges and universities open up their doors starting next week, the Department of Education announced on Thursday that classes in public schools will officially start on August 29.

Private schools on the other hand may start their academic calendar any day not later than the end of the month.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

As with any school opening, among the most important and perhaps exciting part of the forthcoming back-to-school season, is buying new school supplies.

Parents and students alike flock to the malls and other local shopping centers to buy school supplies needed for the new academic year.

But after the pandemic, and the rocketing prices, many are attempting to budget their finances to buy the majority of what they need. 

So the question now is raised: Where will you buy your supplies?

Republicasia is here to help you especially for budget tight families. 

Joy Doroon, 40, said she usually shops in Divisoria to save money and buy more supplies for her child.

She told republicasia that she chooses to buy cheaper items as it allows her to get more for her money. 

“Sa akin kasi importante na yung maka-save ako, para kung makaka-save ako ng P50, makakabili pa ako ng crayons, at kung ano ano pang mga pad papers pa,” said Doroon.

Mariel Benanwa, 18, shares the same sentiment.

Benanwa also said that there are items that are not available in malls but can be purchased in Divisoria.

The two customers observed that prices of school supplies have increased, giving them more reason to opt for the more affordable ones.

On the other hand, 16-year-old high school student Hyacinth Ramos said she likes to shop in malls because it’s more convenient than Divisoria.

Ramos also said there is no assurance that the prices in the two shopping centers would be significantly different. 

“Kapag sa Divisoria, siksikan. And hindi rin naman po namin sure kung mababa talaga yung presyo sa Divisoria,” she said.

To provide a more comprehensive comparison of school supplies prices, republicasia went to Divisoria and several malls around the metro in preparation for the school season.

Price comparison

Notebooks

According to shopper Mary Anne Ramos, prices for notebooks have notably skyrocketed from less than P20 pre-pandemic to more than P40 per piece at present.

Based on the displayed prices at the mall, prices of notebooks of various designs and types range from P26 to P500 individually. Notebook sets for grade school to high school, on the other hand, range from P149 to P500 per seven pieces and 10 pieces.

In Divisoria, notebooks can be purchased for P10 to P250 separately, while sets can be bought for P300.

Ballpoint pens and highlighters

Ramos observed that the price of the pen she used to buy in previous years has escalated from less than P10 to at least P20 per piece.

Ballpens retail for P21 to P75 per piece in malls. People can also buy them in sets of three to five for P13 to P99.

Divisoria prices for pens range from P8 to P15 individually and a box of 10 pieces is sold for P50 to P188.

Highlighters, on the other hand, can be bought for P20 to P44 per piece in malls. It is cheaper in Divisoria as consumers can get highlighters in sets for P75 to P150, and for P15 per piece.

Binders and fillers

In Divisoria, customers can purchase binders for senior high school and college students for as low as P120. In malls, this school supplies essential retails for P189 to P269.

Meanwhile, binder fillers can be bought for P50 for five pieces in Divisoria. In malls, this would cost them P66.75 to P84.

Index cards

Index cards in malls and Divisoria are almost similar in price. 

These items can be purchased in the commercial center for P20 to P40, while it costs around P24 to P54 in malls.

Writing and coloring materials

For grade schoolers, coloring materials in malls range from P84 to P1,499, depending on the type to be purchased (crayons, colored pencils, coloring markers, and oil pastels).

Meanwhile, consumers can obtain these items in Divisoria for as low as P8.

Pencils have similar prices in both shopping locations. It can be purchased from P7 to P15.

Erasers are retailed in malls for P11 to P34. These are more affordable in Divisoria as these can be purchased for as low as P5 each.

Sharpener prices vary depending on the type and design. One piece usually costs around P18 to P99 in malls and P10 to P35 in Divisoria.

Pad papers

Yellow pads for senior high school and college students can be bought for a retail price of P52 per piece and P145 per set of three in malls. 

In Divisoria, it is sold for P300 per set of five.