Schools seeking a faster and more efficient way to collect regular payments are turning to innovative online solutions that optimise the ever-increasing access parents have to computers and hand-held devices.
This comes through the adoption of specialised online payment applications that allow schools to be paid instantly through a website or mobile phone app made available to all parents and administered through software managed by the school.
Complete with an application suite that provides balance reminders and helps users to keep track of what they need to pay and when, these systems allow school administrators to communicate directly with parents and guardians throughout term-time.
A socially inclusive and frictionless payment system will offer wholesale advantages to schools, parents and pupils and promote a completely cash-free environment.
Benefits to schools
Online payment applications allow schools to significantly lower the time, effort and expense required when physically collecting and chasing cash payments from pupils and parents via mail and telephone.
Administered through user-friendly software packages, online payment systems allow school staff to request, collect and record payments from parents in a far easier and more efficient manner, and significantly reduces the cost and environmental effects of sending hundreds of letters each term.
Benefits to parents
For many parents the primary issue with making punctual payments to schools is short notice, with requests for monies often found crumpled in a trouser pocket or at the back of a rucksack moments before their child leaves for school.
An online payment app provides parents with direct notifications when money needs to be paid and offers a quick an easy way to transfer funds. This also helps parents to budget for school costs and manage regular payments without having to send cash or attend the school premises.
Benefits to pupils
For pupils, a cashless payment environment can have significant social advantages, meaning there is no embarrassment when they bring in a payment late or are forced to sit out an activity because of a confusion over costs.
Cashless payments in schools can also help to reduce the stigma and bullying that is often associated with free school meals and relieves the risk of theft from pupils carrying money during school hours.