Parents in Yangon fit ready-made school uniforms.

GONE are the days when parents strain to think what their children will need for school. Even at exam time there is no shortage of students insisting their parents buy them all they will need for the coming school year.

“A school uniform needs to be neat and tidy – I always make sure I’m looking good in my uniform, that it’s not untidy,” said matriculation student, Ma Saw Su Myat, who attends No1 State High School in Dagon township.

Parents sometimes make their children’s school uniforms but purchasing them has now become more popular.

“When my twin sons started school I didn’t bother making the school uniform because I wanted it to look good and last a long time. So instead I bought the ready-made uniform that I know I can trust,” said Daw Thida, whose sons attend school in Mayangone township.

U Myint Oo from U Lay Gyi school uniform store said the prices of uniforms vary with the size and whether they are for males or females.

“For primary students, shirts for boys are priced at about K1500 and trousers K2000. School gowns are between K1400 and K2200,” he said.

As well as traditional jackets and garments there are also paso and longyi available in all sizes, for students and teachers, at the U Lay Gyi shop.

He said now was a good time to buy uniforms for the coming school year.

“The prices of uniforms will rise a little, probably in April, due to the cost of cloth. This is unavoidable as I always like to use the best materials so my customers trust my clothes – I wouldn’t want to let them down,” he said.

Now is also a good time for parents to buy because it will save them the trouble of rushing and jostling at the busy shops just before school starts, he said.

U Ko Ko Aung, from New Sun, said school bags at his store are made by Boneno and come in all different sizes and types.

He said there are bags for both primary and high school students, with prices ranging from K2000 to K6000 and the best quality bags top out at K10,000.

All kinds of slippers and shoes designed for the rainy season are already on sale, said Daw Yin Yin of Win Star slipper shop.

“We are now marketing the Kangroo and Chinese-made brands at fair prices – from K1200 up to K10,000,” she said.

A shop assistant from the Super One store said the Scholl brand was very popular despite their K20,000 price tag.

Stationery, such as books, pens, pencils and rulers, is also an important part of school life.

Umbrellas and rain coats should also not be neglected because they are essential in rainy season.

So beat the rush – now is the time to go shopping.