{
  "id": 5243961,
  "title": "«Su allarme caro scuola numeri gonfiati»",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/su-allarme-caro-scuola-numeri-gonfiati",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T04:02:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Il Sole 24 Ore",
    "slug": "il-sole-24-ore",
    "url": "https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/su-allarme-caro-scuola-numeri-gonfiati-AJ77aj1"
  },
  "original_language": "it",
  "account": "Caro scuola: associations of consumers and stationers have been clashing over inflated estimates of back-to-school expenses, with the Codacons estimating a maximum budget of 1,300 euros per student for school supplies and textbooks, including price increases of 2-4% for stationery and 1.8% for textbooks. In response, Federcartolai Confcommercio declared, \"September has already begun and, as usual, the alarm about 'expensive school' is raised. This year's figure is 1,300 euros per student, the same as for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. Three years, the same number, so either the cost of living has frozen in 2023, or that figure is copied every August without anyone bothering to verify it.\" The stationers explained that they base their calculations on daily experience, not invented figures. They provided data from hundreds of stationers, with basic backpacks ranging from 40 to 50 euros, 3-zip folders between 19 and 29 euros, plain folders between 5 and 15 euros, diaries between 16 and 25 euros, notebooks and covers from 12 to 20 euros, scientific calculators up to 18 euros, and comprehensive writing sets up to 14 euros. Textbooks, the most expensive and variable item, averaged 350 euros. To reach 1,300 euros, shoppers would need to purchase items at boutique stores, not in stationery shops, unless someone is buying designer backpacks and calling them school supplies. The stationers emphasized the social value of their trade and presence in the community, stating, \"These inflated numbers like this aren't just details; they cause enormous damage, especially to neighborhood stores that know their customers by name. This year-round service, unlike seasonal promotions, is crucial for the community. While some publish inflated figures, we must remember that the provision of schoolbooks for primary schools, paid for by municipalities, is carried out solely by stationers, as large retailers find the venture unprofitable. We have long worked with other trade unions for concrete action: the tax deductibility of school expenses, as already exists for medical and sports expenses. With the Student Charter, families are entitled to a 10% discount on all school supplies, a discount that is never mentioned when discussing such figures.\" According to Federcartolai's assessments, increases for school supplies and textbooks are between 2% and 4% for the 2026/2027 school year. \"These figures are far removed from the alarm bells being raised these days. Federcartolai will continue to be present in national and local press with the facts at hand, because families deserve facts, not recycled titles.\" The Italian Publishers Association (Aie) also responded, noting that textbook price increases for secondary education in 2026 are 2.3% for the first level and 1.8% for the second level, lower than inflation (2.8% in July on an annual basis, according to Istat). The average total expenditure families incur for purchasing schoolbooks, defined based on teachers' choices, decreased by 1.4% compared to the previous year, both for secondary education levels one and two.",
  "summary": "Caro scuola: è botta e risposta tra associazioni dei consumatori e cartolai. Le prime hanno lanciato l’allarme rincari con stime del Codacons che fissano un budget massimo di 1.300 euro...",
  "key_points": [
    "Codacons estimates max back-to-school budget of 1,300 euros per student",
    "Federcartolai claims 1,300 euros figure has been repeated for 3 years without verification",
    "Stationers emphasize social value of trade and community presence"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}