The Suan Dusit Poll canvassed 1,023 parents nationwide whose children were of school age between Tuesday and Saturday. More than 77 per cent of respondents said they had to raise the money for tuition and expenses through loans and pawning valuables.

As 75 per cent lamented the increased burden due to school-related expenses, a similar number also found that the learning materials and student uniforms were more expensive than before.

About 72 per cent of respondents said they had to plan their children’s adjustment to school term, including waking up time, while 69 per cent said they must plan their children’s journey to school and picking them up according to traffic conditions.

About 67 per cent of parents wanted government aid in handing out free student uniforms and learning tools, or increased loan sums.