300 million riyals spent on school supplies

Saudi Arabia experienced significant financial waste over the course of a single week at the start of the school season, as spending on educational supplies reached 1.01 billion riyals, most of which was spent just before classes began. Despite a 19% increase in expenditure compared to last year, between 25% and 30% of these amounts were allocated to non-essential channels, leading to an estimated waste of around 300 million riyals during the same week. The majority of expenses included luxuries such as branded backpacks, luxury supplies, and high-specification electronic devices that students don't actually need, with families showing a preference for higher-priced goods. About 84% of students attend public schools, and spending on supplies and other needs like private tutoring, which costs up to 752 million riyals, poses a significant financial burden on families. Meanwhile, the government has invested in digital educational platforms to reduce expenses on paper materials and has addressed impulsive buying behaviors through regulatory measures and efforts to minimize waste. Nonetheless, there remains a continued need to raise awareness among families about the importance of prudent spending and reducing unnecessary consumption.

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