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Back to School Has Expensive School Supplies, Variations Above 200%, and Procon Guidelines on Consumer Rights.
The purchase of expensive school supplies is already weighing on the budgets of Brazilian families at the beginning of the year, especially during back-to-school season, when long lists and high prices accumulate.
In northwestern São Paulo cities, recent research from the Procon Foundation indicates variations exceeding 200% in basic items, raising the alert for abusive practices.
The survey, conducted in December 2025, shows how comparing prices and knowing consumer rights at school has become essential to avoid losses.
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Right at the beginning of the school year, parents and guardians seek stationery stores to meet the school requirements.
However, according to experts, the lack of research amplifies the impact of expensive school supplies, especially on simple products like pens, notebooks, and scissors.
Therefore, consumer protection agencies reinforce legal guidelines that protect families.
Procon School Supplies Survey Shows Variations Above 200%
In São José do Rio Preto (SP), the Procon school supplies survey identified a variation of 206.92% in the price of ballpoint pens.
Researchers found the item priced between R$ 1.30 and R$ 3.99 at seven establishments during the survey conducted on December 15 and 16, 2025.
Meanwhile, in Araçatuba (SP), parents reported to TV TEM a significant increase in the prices of notebooks.
According to research from the Locomotiva Institute in partnership with QuestionPro, the adjustment was nearly 8% compared to the previous year.
Additionally, Procon indicated that the price of blunt scissors can vary over 200%, depending on the purchase location.
These data emphasize that researching before buying is one of the main strategies to reduce the impact of high prices during back-to-school season.
Consumer Rights at School: What the Law Guarantees Families
In light of the expensive school supplies scenario, Procon emphasizes that the Consumer Protection Code governs the relationship between schools and guardians.
The legislation prohibits the undue transfer of costs that should be embedded in school tuition.
Thus, educational institutions cannot require materials for collective use.
This includes cleaning, hygiene, and administrative items, which are part of the school infrastructure and not of the individual student’s routine.
Prohibited School Supplies List: Items That Cannot Be Required
The so-called prohibited school supplies list includes products that do not have individual pedagogical use. Among the items banned by consumer protection regulations are:
Alcohol
Detergent
Cotton
Toilet paper
Trash bags
Disposable cups
Cloths
Office supplies such as staplers, ink cartridges, and toners
On the other hand, schools can request individually used materials, as long as they justify the required quantity educationally and keep the request within reasonable limits.
Tied Selling is Illegal and Brand Limitations Are Prohibited
Another important point involves the practice of tied selling.
The school cannot require specific brands or force purchases at a single store.
What is allowed is merely indicating the technical characteristics of the product, such as size or type.
Additionally, the legislation allows the charge for materials only when the school offers this option on a voluntary basis.
If the guardian agrees, the school must return all unused individual materials at the end of the school year.
School Uniforms: Rules for Marketing and Use
When the uniform has a simple model, the school must allow it to be purchased at any establishment.
Exclusive sale is only authorized if the institution has a registered trademark with the National Institute of Industrial Property, and even then without abusive prices.
Changes to the uniform model can only occur after five years. Furthermore, no student can be prevented from attending classes due to a lack of school clothing.
Tuition, Enrollment, and Adjustments Require Transparency
Schools must inform tuition adjustments at least 45 days before the end of the enrollment period.
The school needs to present a detailed cost sheet to the guardians.
The legislation allows charging a reservation fee, provided that the school deducts this amount from the enrollment or the first tuition.
In case of withdrawal before the start of classes, the consumer is entitled to a refund, with only a small administrative fee retained.
Delinquency Does Not Authorize Pedagogical Punishments
Even in the event of payment delays, the school cannot prevent the student from taking tests, withhold documents, expel them during the school year, or subject them to embarrassment.
On the other hand, the institution may choose not to renew the enrollment for the following year and collect the amounts due through legal means.
Research and Information Are the Main Weapons Against Expensive School Supplies
In light of rising prices and abusive practices, Procon emphasizes that information and planning are essential.
Comparing prices, knowing consumer rights at school, and questioning irregular requirements help families face the impact of expensive school supplies during back-to-school season.
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