Up to 20,000 per child: how much do school fees cost?

Preparing your child for something new academic year In 2026, this will cost Ukrainian parents at least 10,000 hryvnias. If they buy a good-quality rucksack, several sets of clothes and more expensive shoes, the total cost could rise to 15,000–20,000 hryvnias or more.

How much money do you need to prepare for school?

If you buy only the essentials and choose items from the lower price range, you can get one child ready for school for around 10,000 hryvnias. This amount covers a rucksack, basic stationery, clothing, and everyday and sports shoes.

According to price monitoring data as of August 2026, the budget rises to between 15,000 and 20,000 hryvnias if parents opt for higher-quality items, buy several sets of clothes or completely update their child’s wardrobe.

The total cost depends on the pupil’s age, the school’s requirements, the number of items left over from last year, as well as the manufacturer and where the items are purchased.

How much do the rucksack and accessories cost?

A rucksack remains one of the biggest expenses. The cheapest models cost from 600 hryvnias, but the average price of a good-quality school rucksack starts at around 1,000 hryvnias.

When choosing a rucksack, it’s worth paying attention not only to the design, but also to the weight, the strength of the seams, the width of the straps and the firmness of the back panel. A rucksack that’s too cheap may not be able to withstand the daily strain and will need replacing before the school year is out.

Approximate prices for school supplies:

• backpacks — from 600 hryvnias; higher-quality models — from 1,000 hryvnias;
• a bag for a change of shoes — around 500 hryvnias;
• a lunchbox and a reusable bottle — from 200 hryvnias;
• pencil case — from 350 to 600 hryvnias.

Even just a basic set comprising a rucksack, a pencil case, a shoe bag, a water bottle and a lunchbox can cost between 1,650 and 2,300 hryvnias.

Prices for school clothing in 2026

Clothes account for the largest share of the budget. Even if you buy items at the lowest possible prices, one set of clothes is usually not enough for a schoolchild. Everyday clothes will need to be washed regularly, and the child will need a spare set.

Indicative prices in August 2026:

• a set of school clothes — from 1,250 hryvnias;
• shirt, T-shirt or blouse — from 500 hryvnias;
• trousers or a skirt — from 600–800 hryvnias;
• tracksuit — from 1,300 to 3,000 hryvnias;
• socks — from 35–50 hryvnias a pair;
• tights — from 70–100 hryvnias;
• shoes — from 700 to 2,300 hryvnias;
• sports shoes — from 800 to 1,700 hryvnias.

If you buy two shirts or blouses, two pairs of trousers or skirts, a tracksuit and two pairs of shoes, the cost could exceed 5,000–7,000 hryvnias.

However, there is no compulsory school uniform at national level in Ukraine. The decree requiring pupils to wear one ceased to be in force in 2019. The Education Ombudsman emphasised that Compelling pupils to wear a specific school uniform infringes on their rights. It is therefore worth checking the rules of the school in question before buying an expensive kit.

How much do stationery supplies cost?

Stationery items may seem inexpensive on their own, but the large number of items significantly increases the overall budget. The list of essential items also depends on the school year: younger pupils need art supplies, whilst middle and senior school pupils need more exercise books, atlases and outline maps.

Prices for essential goods:

• a 12-sheet exercise book — from 7 hryvnias;
• a 36-sheet exercise book — from 15 hryvnias;
• a 96-sheet exercise book — from 49 hryvnias;
• diary — approximately 70–170 hryvnias;
• notebook covers — from 60 hryvnias for 10 pieces;
• textbook covers — from 55 hryvnias for five;
• pens — from 10 to 40 hryvnias each;
• coloured pencils — from 100 hryvnias per set;
• felt-tip pens — from 50 to 250 hryvnias;
• an eraser, a pencil sharpener, a ruler or a correction pen — from 15 hryvnias per item;
• modelling clay — from 80 to 200 hryvnias;
• Coloured paper — from 80 to 400 hryvnias per set.

A basic set of stationery can cost around 1,000–2,500 hryvnias. For a Year 1 pupil, the cost will often be higher due to the need to buy art books, paints, brushes, glue, scissors and craft materials.

What you shouldn’t buy in advance

Parents do not necessarily have to buy a whole year’s supply of exercise books and stationery straight away. The teacher may only specify some of the requirements once lessons have started.

Until you have received the list from the school, it is best not to buy:

• Dear diary, because the school can only use an electronic one;
• textbook covers without specified dimensions;
• special exercise books with a printed grid;
• atlases, outline maps and supplementary guides;
• extensive sets of art and craft materials;
• a uniform or clothing of a specific colour.

This approach will help you avoid spending money on things your child won’t need.

How to get 5,000 hryvnias for a Year 1 pupil

In 2026, the government programme «A schoolchild’s rucksack». A family with a child starting Year 1 at a Ukrainian school is eligible for a one-off payment of 5,000 hryvnias.

The funds may be spent on stationery, children’s clothing and footwear. Either parent or a legal guardian may apply for the grant via the «Diya» app or at a Pension Fund service centre. Eligibility for the payment does not depend on the type of education or whether the school is state or private. The programme for 2026 has been confirmed Ministry of Social Policy and the Cabinet of Ministers.

The payment covers approximately half of the minimum budget for preparing a child for Year 1, but it may not be enough to cover the full cost of clothes, shoes, a rucksack and stationery.

How to save money on your child’s education

Before you go to the shop, it’s worth checking the items you have left over from the previous school year. Your rucksack, tracksuit, pencil case, water bottle or some of your stationery may still be in good condition.

The following will also help to reduce costs:

• a list of essentials drawn up in advance;
• comparing prices across several shops;
• purchasing stationery in sets;
• the use of promotions and loyalty schemes;
• buying some items once the August rush is over;
• avoiding products featuring popular characters, as you often end up paying over the odds for them;
• buying good-quality second-hand items that a child will soon outgrow.

Consequently, in 2026, the minimum cost of preparing a single child for school is around 10,000 hryvnias, whilst completely renewing their wardrobe and purchasing higher-quality school supplies can increase the budget to 15,000–20,000 hryvnias or more. The best way to avoid unnecessary expenditure is to first obtain a list from the school, check what you already have, and only then plan your purchases.