Jakarta Residents Flock to Asemka Market for Affordable School Supplies Ahead of New Academic Year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Residents have been hunting for school supplies and stationery at Asemka Market in Tamansari, West Jakarta, ahead of the new academic year, which is about to begin.

Penny, a resident of Sunter in North Jakarta, said she deliberately travelled to Asemka Market because of the considerable price difference for stationery and school supplies compared with shops near her home.

“Here it’s still affordable. In my area, a bundle of books can cost Rp50,000, sometimes even Rp55,000 to Rp60,000. Here it’s around Rp35,000 to Rp45,000,” Penny said when met at the market on Wednesday.

According to Penny, the prices of supplies and stationery at Asemka are far cheaper, so it remains worthwhile for her despite the journey from Sunter.

Every new school year, Penny said she always allocates around Rp1 million to meet her child’s school needs.

That budget, she said, is not only used to buy books, but also other supplies such as pens and pencils, as well as stationery stocks for a whole semester.

“So far I’ve only bought books and covers for about Rp520,000. I’ll see later if the pens or pencils at home have run out. I’m buying a semester’s worth of stock at once to save more,” she said.

The same was expressed by Siska, a resident of Jelambar in West Jakarta, who came to buy books and labels for her child, who is about to enter the sixth year of primary school.

Unlike Penny, Siska said she does not set a specific budget when shopping for her child’s school supplies.

She only buys what is genuinely needed, while items that are still serviceable continue to be used.

“What I buy is mostly books; I’ll only buy shoes or bags if needed. If we still have them, then I don’t buy. Right now I only need books,” she said.

According to Siska, the prices of school supplies at Asemka Morning Market are quite affordable. For items such as shoes, bags, and books, her total spending also remains below Rp1 million.

She said she prefers shopping directly at shops rather than online, because she can inspect the quality of the goods in person before buying.

“With online shopping you can’t see the goods directly. I’m worried the quality won’t match. So I’m more satisfied buying directly at the shop,” she added.