Preparing for Back-to-School Amid School Fees Increase (Pt. 2)

Hello Friend,

Let's talk about how schools like yours can prepare for resumption in times like this. If you missed the other part of this series, check it out here.

First, let's acknowledge that increasing fees takes a lot of courage. Parents now spend more on virtually everything else, so increasing school fees hits harder.

It's tough asking parents to spend more on school fees out of their barely sufficient income. However, schools are organizations with running costs. You still have obligations to students, staff, and other stakeholders.?

As an educator, managing this situation can be tricky. There is a legitimate fear that you might lose students. Yet, you need sufficient resources to provide quality education to your students.

How can you handle these tricky situations?

Communicate Effectively

Many parents misunderstand school fee increases. They often believe it's just another ploy to milk them dry. Rising costs, mainly due to inflation, force schools like yours to increase fees. It's often a survival strategy, not a profit-making venture.?

However, the problem lies in communication, or rather, the lack of it. Be honest about the economic realities of your school. Parents will understand that prices are skyrocketing and running costs have increased.

Merely sending notices to parents is not effective enough. Be transparent about the process by breaking down the increased costs - teacher salaries, maintenance, resources - everything. It shows parents where every penny is going. That way, it's easier for parents to understand and support the fee hike.?

Communicate as early as you can. Don't wait till the last minute. Start the conversation as soon as you foresee an increase. It gives parents ample time to prepare and plan for the increase. Springing it up last minute might not be the best.

Get Parents Involved

Involve parents in the decision leading to increased tuition fees. Invite them to budget meetings. Make them part of the decision-making process. Create polls to get their perspective. Present them with options to choose from.

Let them feel like they arrived at the decisions themselves. It's easier for people to accept a decision they partook in than one dumped on them.

Offer Payment Plans

Offer flexible payment options such as payment in instalments. It will ease the burden and allow parents to divide the total fee into manageable monthly instalments. It lessens the immediate financial strain and avoids sudden financial shocks.?

With SAFSIMS, you can effectively manage the process of receiving payment in instalments. It makes it easier to keep up with what each parent has paid and the outstanding balance. Parents can also get reminders about pending payments.

Small But Gradual Increments

Small, regular increases are less of a shock. The pushback for a significant increase will be greater than for small increases. Small increments spread over time make it easier for parents to cope. This approach prevents sudden & hefty jumps in expenses. Incremental adjustments are less likely to disrupt family budgets. Hence, it helps parents to achieve financial stability.

Value Added Services

Offer services that justify the fee increase. The quality of education should improve. Otherwise, parents will question the need for an increase. It becomes worse if the quality reduces despite the increased fee.

A value-added service softens resistance to increased fees. The service will enhance the overall educational experience, making it more justified. Explore more extracurricular activities, personalized tutoring, etc., to provide students with additional benefits.

This approach shifts the focus from mere cost to the enhanced value parents receive for investing in their child's education.

Leverage Technology

Schools are leveraging technology to cut down on their operational cost. For example, SAFSIMS is helping K12 school minimize expenses on administrative tasks, manual labour, and paperwork. It also blocks out financial leakages, making school operations more efficient and cost-saving.?

Leveraging technology to save costs is one of the best things you can do right now. It will be good for the school and also make the burden lighter on parents. It's worth exploring.

I hope this has been helpful.

I'll write you soon.

Till then, have a great time.