LATE PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY PARENTS, MANY A TIMES IT IS YOUR FAULT.

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Facing the gospel truth, all of us are in business to earn a living. If your own school is not out to make profit, then this message is not meant for you. Fine, when we are composing our vision and mission statements, making profit is never included but deep down, we know we aren't working for free.

Expenses on expenses, levies upon levies, we want the best teachers, we will have to pay them well. We try hard to make our schools the best with the best facilities. All these cannot be done without money. So where will you get these money from? Even if you secure a loan facility, how will you pay back the loan not to talk of the interest? Without a doubt, the money comes from the parents.

Yes! It is their obligation to pay the tuitions of their kids but you the school owner has a whole lot to do in this aspect.

We have 12 weeks in a term, that is, 3 months, which is approximately 90days out of which 60 are working days.

How often do you contact these parents?

When you contact them, what are the reasons?

Is it to notify them of:

·         Open Days?

·         PTA meetings?

·         Donations?

·         Prompt school fee payment or lateness in payment?

·         Their child/ren’s misconducts or health issues?

The truth is; these are the things the parents are readily expecting when they see a message or note from you. It worries them. Some are even scared to pick when you phone them.

What can you do to change this known trend?

Cultivate a very cordial and personal relationship with the parents. Watch it! They can easily detect if your intention is just to soften the atmosphere so that you can bring to their notice those things we listed above. So, be sincere. Parents don’t want your gifts after any school ceremony. You know why? They know you bought that gift out of money they paid and they will also assume you made profit on the ceremony. Some will compare the gift, what they can see in the event and the money they paid. This is a NO NO. Its far better when they pay a little bit less than what they get as gifts.

Contacting them when they don’t expect, shows that you care about them, their family, and their jobs. Lets them know that you as well know how hard the economy is. Offer health tips, inspirational quotes and financial advice. You can even let them know that they are in your prayers. With these, they feel at ease, they don’t want to owe you; they cherish the relationship you have with them.

I know of a school that took care of a student’s whole family when the father lost his job for more than a year. I am not saying the school is a help for the needy organization but this singular act goes a long way to give the school a good name. This man later got a better job and donated an ICT lab to the school. This doesn’t happen every day but it is what we call LOYALTY.

Be loyal to them, show them you sincerely care about them and they will be loyal to you. They will do all their best not to owe you.

Then this problem of late payments can be prevented, reduced or stopped totally.

If you have been enlightened in a way or the other, kindly drop a comment.

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