As the second and longest term continues, there’s the all too familiar buzz in the air: uniforms, stationery, and the phrase “school fees” in every other conversation. For school administrators and educators, it’s also a critical time for thoughtful planning, and the engine driving this planning? Timely payment of school fees by the start of the school term.
Unfortunately, for many parents, guardians and schools dedicated to shaping the futures of the children, this is also a challenging and anxious time.
On the very first day of school, only about 30% of children arrive with their fees fully settled (Uganda Bureau of Statistics). This leaves countless families stuck in negotiations, promising future payments, and tirelessly working to ensure their children’s education remains uninterrupted.
Each commitment to “pay soon” is backed by a parent’s relentless determination, frequently in the face of financial hardships and challenges. In the meantime, school heads and teachers find themselves shifting from their roles as educators to fundraisers and debt collectors chasing payments, stealing away precious time that should be spent guiding the students in the classroom.
Even more concerning, when collection efforts stall, schools are faced with tough choices: the unsettling reality of sending students home mid-term, impacting both their education journey and their mental well-being. This is even more pronounced once the fees have been settled and the students are allowed back into class. This situation is burdensome for the school operators, who must juggle the need to keep the operations running and their aspiration to provide a nurturing educational environment.
How can we break this cycle of stress, disruption, and missed educational opportunities for families and schools alike? This is where innovation steps in.
In collaboration with our visionary partners, we are proud to introduce a transformative solution: School Fees Loans in Uganda. Together with Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited, MTN Mobile Money Uganda, and cutting-edge school payment platforms like SchoolPay and PegPay, parents can now apply for a school fees loan directly through the user-friendly Furaha App. The fees are paid instantly to the school’s account, eliminating time-consuming paperwork and unnecessary waiting times.
This not only preserves the dignity of families but also makes essential financial resources immediately available to provide the much-needed quality of education.
The positive impact so far is undeniable.
We have successfully provided over three billion shillings in school fees loans to parents, and that money has gone directly to the schools. This has kept thousands of children in school, enabled classrooms to operate, and allowed schools to cover costs, such as teachers’ salaries. This is our purpose, our mission, to change lives and leave no child behind.
When we get this right, here’s what we can achieve:
Our initiative is more than just a temporary fix; it is a pivotal move towards a brighter future where every child has consistent access to education, where every teacher can fully devote themselves to their craft, and where every parent feels appreciated and empowered in investing in their child’s education. When school fees are paid on time, we all thrive as a community.
To all parents, educators, and changemakers reading this: the next chapter of this journey is yours to write. Let’s transform each school term into a launchpad for success rather than leaving it to chance. When children are present, engaged, and filled with hope, the country as a whole flourishes.
Are you ready to embark on this journey with us? The road to smarter, stress-free school fees begins now, with joy: with Furaha. Let’s create a future where every child can shine in their educational journey!
Furaha Finserve Uganda Limited is a financial technology business which acts as a software-based intermediary platform. The company does not provide loans or credit directly, and does not operate a payment system, act as a payment service provider or issue a payment instrument.
