Gorra spare pencil?

It seems some schools are asking parents to pay for pens, pencils and such, and this is seen as proof that the education system is under-funded.  Well maybe, maybe not, but I remember when I went to "big school" we were all supposed to turn up with a geometry set (compass, protractor and such), a ruler. a set of pencils of varying hardness, and a fountain pen.  The general rule, as I remember it, was that the school were responsible for providing books - text books and exercise books  - but the pupil was responsible for providing any other necessary equipment.  I seem to remember that this was accepted as the norm back then without comment.  So what's changed?