In Nordrhein-Westfalen, pupils of public schools and private schools are provided by the school with free-of-charge learning material. However, legal guardians and adult pupils of have to pay a share of the average expenses for the acquisition of the learning materials required in one school year. The own contribution amounts to one third of the average expenses per pupil. In the general education schools of secondary level I and II, the own contribution can amount to around € 25.00 per school year, in the vocational schools between € 25.00 and € 78.00 per school year. Not included in the term of learning material are the things that are used in the classroom as use material or exercise material. They may need to be provided by parents as part of general personal equipment (https://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/docs/Recht/Schulrecht/Lernmittelfreiheit/)
The basic equipment with personal school supplies for school attendance (school bag, pencil case, notebooks, pens, paint box, sports shoes, etc.) must be paid by parents in Germany. Further costs are the lunch in the amount of 3 to 4 euros daily. The early or late care in kindergarten or before or after the regular school time is chargeable. Excursions, theater visits and school journeys have to be paid by the parents.
Socially disadvantaged families can apply for benefits from the education and participation package. They will then receive a subsidy for lunch at school or for personal school equipment. The fare for public transportation to school and the cost of one- or several-day trips will be covered.