The 2021 school year does not have to catch you off-guard

Iemas Financial Services gives a few top tips on how to get school-ready before the rush.

It is no secret that 2020 was not easy – parents became teachers and teachers became online gurus, students had to adapt to home-schooling and staying busy at home while waiting for the school year to resume (more than once). All things considered, this is certain – preparation is key as you cannot tell what the future holds.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga recently published the updated 2021 calendar for South African public schools. According to the South African Government News Agency[1] Motshekga confirmed that schools will reopen for the new year on 25 January 2021 stating that “We are fully aware that the country needs the school calendar for effective planning purposes.”

As per the public statement by the Minister, schools will have to carry over some curriculum work, which will result in added pressure and pupils having to cope with more subjects to make up for the work that was lost this year. “Extra classes and the support of a tutor can in many cases give your child the extra help they need. However, it comes at a cost and adds up when you take all other back-to-school expenses into account” warns Maria Feiteira, Managing Executive: iLend, Finance at Iemas Financial Services.

She gives a few tips for parents on how to plan and manage their budget to give their children the support they need to excel in the coming school year:

• ‘Shop around’: tutors and extra classes can be expensive. So, make sure that you have explored all your options. Find out if the school offers extra support at no cost or at a lower rate than private tutors. If not, then ask around for the best tutor at the best price. You can also approach retired teachers or students who are busy with their teacher’s degree or share tutors and au pairs with family or friends close by;
• Get a bit of extra help: an educational loan is an investment in your child’s education. Some educational loans, like Iemas GradUcare, can be used to pay for your child’s schooling from grade 1 to 12 and even beyond for tertiary education. The interest on GradUcare type loans are often much lower than other types of loans and can even cover other related expenses such as textbooks and calculators;
• Use your rewards for back-to-school shopping: we often forget to use our Iemas loyalty Stash your extra cashbacks to buy stationary, school clothes and other back-to school necessities. Iemas annual rewards pays out in November/December – perfect for school expenses;
• Up-cycle: think twice before you throw out old textbooks or school clothes. Sell them online and also look out for second-hand bargains to gear up your child for the year ahead.

“Parenting can be tough, but with the right support and financial planning you can give your child the best whilst achieving a healthy state of financial wellness” concludes Feiteira.