Back-to-School Rush in Pakistan Amid Rising Costs and Textbook Shortage

As the new academic year begins, textbook markets and Urdu Bazaars across Pakistan are witnessing a surge in activity, with students and parents rushing to purchase books, stationery, and related supplies. However, the excitement of a new school year is being overshadowed by significantly rising costs.

Prices of book covers and stationery items have increased notably, adding financial pressure on families. Protective plastic covers now cost between Rs75 and Rs100 per book, while larger notebooks and registers cost up to Rs130. Stationery prices have also surged, with small notebooks priced at around Rs150, medium ones at Rs250, and premium versions reaching Rs400.

In response to the demand, book-covering services have expanded beyond shops, with many women offering part-time services from their homes to support household income. These services allow a full set of books to be covered within a few hours, creating small-scale economic opportunities in residential areas.

School-related expenses have also risen sharply. Uniforms cost approximately Rs3,000, shoes range between Rs2,500 and Rs5,000, and school bags are priced from Rs1,500 to Rs5,000 depending on quality. As a result, parents report that enrolling a single child now costs between Rs20,000 and Rs30,000.

Adding to the challenges, reports indicate a 40% shortage of new textbooks in the market, making it even harder for families to prepare for the academic year.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Education Department has introduced a new requirement for the 2026–27 academic session, making it mandatory for students to submit B-Forms as part of a Unique Student Identifier (USI) system. Authorities have been directed to ensure accurate data entry for all students in the School Information System (SIS).

Parents and citizens have expressed growing concern over the rising cost of education, warning that it is becoming increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford quality schooling.