No rush in back-to-school shopping

 

Helping hand: SK Gadong Jaya pupil Norelmy Afiq Nordin (right) helping his twin brother Norelmy Aqif Nordin filling newly purchased back-to-school items into his bag at Mydin Seremban 2. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Parents are in no hurry to buy school supplies for their kids since the new school session will only start in March next year.

Schools are currently on holiday and will start the third term next month, while the new school year begins in March.

Amy Shah Muhammad Shah, 44, who lives in Kuantan, said she had bought some of her children’s school items when she was in Kuala Lumpur.

However, she has yet to buy their uniforms.

“Normally, I won’t buy everything in one go because my children don’t mind reusing their old items including their school uniforms.

“I already bought them new schoolbags earlier this month in KL. On Wednesday, I went shopping in East Coast Mall (Kuantan) but couldn’t find any items. Perhaps the shops will only start selling them after Chinese New Year,” said the mother of two.

Nurul Fazliana Mohd Saleh, 35, said she would shop for her children’s school supplies closer to the opening of the school session.

However, the mother of four said she had already started looking around for the best prices.

“Normally, I will buy new uniforms and school shoes every two years for my son and daughter, aged 12 and 11.

“I also need to spend on my youngest child who will be entering primary school next year,” said the human resource and account manager.

Christine Koh, 39, said she would buy her children’s uniforms and shoes whenever there was a need.

“Next week is not the start of the new school session yet, so it did not cross my mind to buy so early.

“Normally, I buy as and when it is needed from online platforms, for example, when the old items can no longer fit them,” said the chartered accountant.

Koh, who has three children attending primary school, said she preferred to buy the items online due to the convenience.

“If one seller does not have the size I need, I can switch to another. Prices are usually competitive online,” she added.

The 2022/2023 third term session will start on Jan 1 (for schools in Group A which are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) and Jan 3 (for schools under Group B comprising Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

The academic calendar for the 2023/2024 school session will start from March 19, 2023 to March 9, 2024 for Group A and March 20, 2023 to March 10, 2024 for Group B. - Star