The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a notice asking its affiliated schools to promote the use of digital payments. The notice is available on the official CBSE website.
The notice refers to a digital payments promotion plan developed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance. The plan aims to expand access to digital payments, increase their use and promote safe digital payment practices across the country.
According to the circular, the plan covers the education ecosystem, including schools, students and parents. CBSE has advised school heads and managers to take steps to promote digital payments for different financial activities related to schools.
CBSE digital payment guidelines for schools
CBSE has suggested the following measures for schools:
Enable digital payments at different points:
Schools may enable digital payment options such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay cards for fees, canteens, libraries and other services.
Schools in areas with low internet connectivity may also adopt UPI Lite, UPI LiteX and UPI 123PAY. The Board has also suggested demonstrations and assisted payment models to help users adopt these options.
Use BBPS for fee payments:
Schools may join the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for standardised, secure and interoperable fee collection.
Schools may also integrate BBPS with their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to streamline recurring payments, including salary payments to staff.
CBSE asks schools to increase digital payment awareness
The Board has also advised schools to focus on digital payment awareness and financial literacy.
Schools may include digital payment awareness in teacher training programmes and school-level campaigns. Financial literacy modules covering digital payments may also be promoted.
The circular also asks schools to conduct awareness campaigns for parents to encourage safe and convenient use of digital payments. Such drives may be organised on school campuses, during school events and through parent-teacher interactions.
Leave a comment