MOSCOW, August 28, 2009. Russian Public Opinion research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning how much on average Russians spend on school at the start of the new school year, whether the modern schooling has become more expensive than in the past.

Compared with the previous year, less Russians report they spend less to prepare for the start of the new school year. The amount of Russians who spend less on study materials has decreased from 65% to 56%; the share of those who bought school uniform, sports wear, other clothes and shoes has also decreased as well (61% versus 70%).

Whereas in previous years Russians spent most on school supplies (73-77%), then this year only 63% spend on this; school bag purchase holds the first position among other school purchases (71%).

The average expenses related to the start of the new school year are growing year after year. Whereas in 2005 Russians spent 6.157 rubles on average to get prepared for school, now the sum reaches 10.782 rubles.

Over the recent year the average money spent on school uniform and sports wear, clothes and shoes has considerably increased (from 4.220 to 5.154 рублей). There was also an increase in the sum of money spent on buying school bags (from 837 rubles to 989 rubles), school supplies (from 1.105 rubles to 1.230 rubles), and school contributions (from 835 rubles to 961 rubles). The sums of money spent on flowers and presents for teachers (536 rubles versus 546 rubles in the previous year), as well as voluntary contributions (747 rubles versus 733 rubles respectively) have almost stayed the same. The only expenses that decreased on average are school supplies: from 2.060 rubles to 1.719 rubles. 

Remarkably that respondents with high level of income spend on average more on buying school bags, school supplies, school and sports uniforms, clothes and shoes,respondents with average level of income - on school contributions, and respondents with low level of income - on flowers and presents for their teachers.

Russians report that when they were young schooling was cheaper. An overwhelming majority of parents are confident, as before, that now schooling costs more than when they were children; however, the part of such respondents has declined over the recent years (85-87% in 2008-2009 versus 90-92% in 2005-2007).  Most of those who complain about high costs are basically metropolitan residents (92%). Only 1% report the costs have become lower, and 3% - that costs have stayed at the same level.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on August 22-23, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!