School 'becoming too expensive' for some families

According to a poll, the escalating costs of school essentials such as uniforms, transport, and trips are creating barriers for some children's education. Amid mounting child poverty

concerns, charities are urging the government to bolster living standards to prevent kids from being "locked out of learning". HAVE YOUR SAY! HAS SCHOOL BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE? HAVE

YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, STRUGGLED WITH THE EXTRA COSTS OF EDUCATION? COMMENT BELOW, AND JOIN IN ON THE CONVERSATION. The survey conducted by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) highlighted

the challenges low-income families face in covering all educational expenses for their children. Out of the over 1700 secondary schools polled, 47% reported students had missed school owing

to not having the appropriate uniform or sports kit. The Mirror reports that beyond attire, 26% of pupils avoided school because they could not afford the transport, and 27% were absent due

to inability to pay for school trips. Students receiving free school meals are reportedly more than twice as likely to be sent home for lacking correct uniform items, with approximately

two-thirds of UK secondary schools insisting on branded clothing in their uniforms. While the government in England is looking to limit the number of branded uniform items to three, or four

including a tie, CPAG is calling for more extensive measures to ensure that no child is excluded from education due to cost. Kate Anstey, head of education at CPAG, highlighted the grim

reality faced by impoverished students: "Children in poverty aren't getting the real deal at school because they don't have money to participate – or even get to the school

gates. From not being able to afford meals or uniform to poor mental health, lack of money at home means young people are missing school – effectively priced out of the system." She

urged the Government to intensify efforts to help families and facilitate children's learning, stating: "Government must do more to support living standards for families so kids

aren't locked out of learning – including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding eligibility for free school meals." Addressing the concerns, a government spokesperson

responded: "We are determined to reduce child poverty through wide-ranging action as part of our Child Poverty Taskforce, breaking the unfair link between background and

opportunity." Elaborating on systematic reforms, the spokesperson added: "This government has inherited a system with baked-in inequalities. Through our Children's Wellbeing

and Schools Bill, we are also changing the law to limit the number of branded items schools can require, which alongside free breakfast clubs could put £500 a year back into working

parents' pockets." HAVE YOUR SAY! HAS SCHOOL BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE? HAVE YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, STRUGGLED WITH THE EXTRA COSTS OF EDUCATION? COMMENT BELOW, AND JOIN IN ON THE

CONVERSATION.