Every student should be given the right to have an education. Purchasing school supplies shouldn’t restrict students from getting an education and learning to the best of their ability.
First off, giving out free school supplies helps families who don’t have much money. Education can be costly, with books, uniforms, and other stuff that kids need, and eventually, it adds up over time to have a massive economic impact on students.
Some kids can get “trendy” and “cool” supplies, while others can’t. As a kid, I felt the shame of not having what other kids did and not being able to have the newest and colorful school supplies. This might make kids feel inadequate and like they don’t fit in, which schools could quickly solve by giving out free supplies that are the same for each grade level so no one feels left out. Having free supplies also makes learning better. When kids have the things they need, they can focus on their lessons and not worry about money by alleviating the stress of payments. This makes them do better in school, feel happier, and encourage them to do well. Currently, no schools provide school supplies, but some locations offer free school supplies, such as the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, Operation School Bell, Allies for Every Child, and many more. These organizations believe that every student has the right to have a proper childhood and education without worrying about whether or not they have enough money in the bank. Not only do they provide free school supplies, but they also provide toys, school uniforms, hygiene products, and many more.
Teachers also benefit from this. They don’t have to deal with kids who don’t have what they need for class because, in some cases, teachers have to purchase supplies for their students from their own pockets. They can spend more time teaching, which is what they’re supposed to be doing.
With a school size like Santiago High School, with over 3,800 students, it would cost way more than an elementary school. If the school provided the bare minimum of a notebook and pencil, it would only cost about $5 per student. This would mean the school would have to give around 19,000, which is not a lot considering how much money they spend daily on daily costs to help maintain the school. As students grow older, they need more and more supplies, which means more and more spending. Providing free school supplies is also about building a community.
Schools show they care about their students by giving them what they need, which helps make a strong connection between the school, parents, and the community. In the end, education should be the top priority; when more people get a good education, it helps everyone. They can get better jobs to provide for their family and strengthen the community.
Overall, the district and admin should come together to provide free school supplies to make education equal for all and help students succeed. It eases the financial troubles for families, ensures fairness in the classroom, improves the learning environment, and lightens the load for teachers. While there might be some initial costs, the benefits in the long term outweigh them. Everyone deserves access to a good education, and free school supplies are vital in making this a reality. It creates a fair and inclusive education system, which benefits our society.
