Back-to-School costs hit parents hard in 2026. As schools reopen on January 14, the pressure is visible across town. Parents are queuing at shopping centres, phoning around for uniform sizes, comparing prices on stationery lists, and quietly asking the same question: How are we supposed to keep up?

New research by Teneo Online School confirms what many Middelburg families are already experiencing. The cost of school essentials is rising far faster than salaries and everyday living expenses.

The gap between public and private is shrinking. For years, many parents believed public schooling was the affordable option, while private schooling came with a real financial strain. But in 2026, that gap is narrowing, and in some cases, it is barely noticeable when it comes to getting a learner ready for school.

Public schools still require branded uniforms, blazers, specific stationery packs, scientific calculators, shoes, bags and sports gear. These are non-negotiable items, expected from the first day of school. Private schools may charge higher monthly fees, but parents say that once January shopping is done, the once-clear difference between public and private school costs doesn’t always reflect at the till.

Why parents feel worse off – even when inflation is ‘low’.

According to the research, school-related costs are rising more than twice as fast as general inflation. In practical terms, this means parents are paying significantly more for school basics each year, even when their income has not kept pace. This is why many families say January feels heavier every year. School costs don’t increase gradually. They arrive all at once, at the very start of the year, when households are already stretched.

Parents describe earning slightly more on paper, but having less left at the end of the month.

High school is where the pressure peaks.

The transition to high school is where many of Middelburg’s parents say the financial strain becomes overwhelming. Blazers are compulsory. Stationery lists become longer and more specialised. Scientific calculators are no longer optional. Shoes and bags must meet school standards, leaving little room for cheaper alternatives.

Parents say whether their child attends a public or private school, expectations around appearance and equipment are increasingly similar – and so are the costs. “It takes a month’s work just to get them through the gate.”

One of the most sobering findings in the research is how much labour it now takes to cover basic school requirements. A parent earning the minimum wage would need to work more than a full month just to afford uniforms and stationery – before school fees, transport, lunches or extra activities are added. Saul Geffen, CEO of Teneo, says this shows how strained the system has become. “When the cost of meeting school requirements becomes a barrier to education, it no longer matters whether a child attends a public or private school. Families are being pushed beyond what they can reasonably manage,” he said.

Across Middelburg, parents from different backgrounds describe making similar compromises. Some delay payments. Others rely on credit. Many send children to school without full uniforms, hoping teachers will understand. For some families, January debt now lingers well into the year.

It doesn’t pay the bills, but Middelburg parents are not alone.

For many South Africans, this is no longer a debate about the best school choice – it’s about affordability.
Public or private, primary or high school, one income or two, the cost of getting a child ready for school in 2026 has become a heavy burden for families across the country.

As the school year begins, one question is clear from Middelburg homes and school gates alike.

Education is essential – but at what cost?

• MPUMALANGA NO FEE SCHOOLS 2026: LINK: https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publications/2025/2026%20No%20Fee%20schools/MPU%20No%20Fee%20Schools%202026%20list.pdf?ver=2025-10-10-122129-863