South Ossetia: parents have to buy textbooks and school uniform

The Ministry of Education of South Ossetia cannot provide pupils with textbooks, while schoolchildren's parents complain about the high costs of preparing kids for school.

As reported by Agunda Djioeva, the head for education of the administration of the city of Tskhinvali, parents themselves have to buy a part of textbooks and the school uniform.

On September 1, Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, will open doors of 10 state-run general secondary schools; 400 schoolchildren will go to the first form, said Aslan Lolaev, a source from the local Ministry of Education.

Officials assert that special attention in preparing for the school year was given to rural schools.

"In rural schools we've replaced window units and fenced off the buildings. Because of restricted financial resources, we left two rural schools, which are in better condition than others, without repairs. Tanks for water for technical needs were installed in schools, because water supply is available not everywhere," said Oleg Siukaev, a source from the Znaur district administration.

Each year, preparing children for school is more and more expensive for parents. This year, Linda Kozaeva, a mother of two small schoolgirls, spent 13,000 roubles to get them ready.

"A set of school uniform consists of a white shirt and a black skirt or a sarafan. The latter is at 2300 roubles, a blouse – at 1100 roubles, a backpack – 1700 roubles, a pair of shoes – 1200 roubles and pantyhose – 200 roubles. It turns out to 6500 roubles per one daughter. I have twins; they both will go now to the third form. The above total does not include textbooks, notebooks, pencil cases, pens and albums. We haven't bought all the books yet," Ms Kozaeva told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that her monthly salary is 9000 roubles.