What school fees pay for again and again and again

In my ongoing war with our clutter (and because it was time to buy stationery for the new high school year) I set out to clear out the kids pencil drawer and about 6 pencil cases which have accumulated over the primary years. I do wonder why they have been given new things every year when clearly it is not needed. I don't believe we'll need to buy pens or pencils ever again even after throwing some away, donating some and keeping about a third.