The state-run ISNA news agency reported a sharp increase in the prices of school supplies in the market, stating that luxury items have also entered the market, with school backpacks being sold at prices ranging from 3 million to 70 million rials (approximately $5 to $117). It is worth mentioning that the minimum wage in Iran is around $180, and many workers earn even less.
In its report, ISNA discussed the millions of rials spent on purchasing school supplies, noting that the prices of various items have increased compared to last year, with some items falling into the luxury category and being sold at unexpectedly high prices.
According to the news agency, a 12-pack of regular black pencils is sold for up to 2.4 million rials (approximately $4), while high-quality brands can go for over 14 million rials (about $24).
In the retail market, mechanical pencils are sold for prices ranging from 400,000 rials to over 20 million rials (approximately $0.66 to $34), and regular pens are priced at 500,000 rials (about $0.80).
It has also been reported that in the stationery market, colored gel pens in 42-piece sets are sold for over 65 million rials (around $109).
A 12-pack of colored pencils is priced at up to 7 million rials (about $12), while a 120-piece set of foreign-brand colored pencils sells for 230 million rials (around $384).
According to ISNA, backpacks range in price from 3 million to nearly 70 million rials, and laptop backpacks are sold from around 7 million rials up to 250 million rials (about $384).
These skyrocketing prices come at a time when many families are unable to afford their children’s educational needs, leading to an increase in dropout rates and children not entering the education system.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister of Elementary Education at the Ministry of Education announced that in the 2023-2024 school year, about 216,243 children were left out of school.
Mohammad Molavi, a member of the Education Commission of the regime’s Majlis (Parliament), also stated in July that 279,000 children had dropped out of school due to “financial difficulties.”
The Deputy Chairman of the Education Commission in the Majlis also reported that the total number of children out of school in Iran stands at 911,000, including 400,000 elementary students.
