In March 2025, Payfast by Network initiated a partnership with SchoolScape, an events platform that’s dedicated to introducing South African schools to innovative solutions to help staff and students streamline day-to-day tasks. As part of the agreement, Payfast Sales team members were given the opportunity to connect with school leaders and educational departments on the ground in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban to find out about their payment pain points and how a unified payment offering could assist them.
Not surprisingly, we learnt that schools across the country face numerous challenges with traditional payment methods, which often hinder administrative efficiency, financial security and overall satisfaction for parents and students.
Based on our experience at SchoolScape, we took the opportunity to explore how implementing a digital payment system can address some of these financial challenges and help schools and other educational facilities bring about significant improvements. Because, at the end of the day, a school is just like any other business in that it requires a healthy cash flow to function.
How education payment solutions can enhance administrative efficiency
One of the primary benefits of a seamless payment system is the enhancement of administrative efficiency in schools and other educational institutions. More traditional payment methods in the education space like cash, automated debit orders or even EFTs often involve extensive paperwork, manual tracking and time-consuming reconciliation processes.
Schools can significantly reduce the administrative workload by streamlining payment processes for school fees, uniforms, textbooks, school trips, extracurricular programmes, fundraising and other expenses.
For example, with an online payment system like Payfast by Network, a payment portal can be easily integrated into the school’s website to accept a variety of online payment methods that get deposited into the school’s account. Via the Payfast by Network Dashboard, administrators can easily track payments and generate reports to streamline administration processes.
As part of our unified commerce offering, school staff can also offer parents an in-person payment solution with the Network card machine, which enables staff to select from a pre-loaded inventory what the payment is for, so it reflects accurately on the system along with the details of the parent or child’s guardian.
Automated payment tracking and reporting can free up valuable time for school staff, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks, such as improving educational outcomes and student support.
How school fee payment platforms can improve the parent and student experience
For many parents, having to fork out additional funds for school supplies or events over and above school fees are often seen as grudge payments. Therefore, it’s essential for schools to provide convenient and flexible payment options to make paying as easy as possible.
A seamless payment system can offer various payment methods, including online, mobile and in-person card payments. This flexibility ensures that parents can make payments at their convenience, reducing the stress and hassle associated with traditional methods.
The ability to set up recurring payments for school fees also assists with reducing admin for parents and the need for schools to follow up on outstanding payments. Additionally, timely and easy transactions enhance communication and transparency between schools and parents, fostering a positive relationship and trust.
How secure payment systems for education can ensure financial security
Financial security is a significant concern for schools, especially when handling sensitive financial information. A seamless payment system can implement secure payment gateways that protect against fraud and errors.
By reducing the risks associated with manual handling of payments, schools can ensure that financial transactions are safe and compliant with local regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS. This security is crucial in maintaining the trust of parents and safeguarding the school’s financial integrity.
How digital payment platforms can facilitate better financial management
Effective financial management is vital for the sustainability of any educational institution. A seamless payment system provides real-time insights and analytics on payment trends and cash flow, helping schools plan and allocate resources more effectively. With a payment solution like Payfast by Network, school admin staff can have a holistic view of payments received, both online and via Payfast’s point-of-sale (POS) device, with detailed summaries and reporting functionality.
With accurate and up-to-date financial data, schools can make informed decisions about budgeting, including allocating staff salaries, and future investments. Simplifying reconciliation and auditing processes also ensure that schools maintain financial transparency and accountability.
How digital payment systems can support diverse payment needs
A digital payment system can accommodate various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, QR code payment methods like Zapper and SnapScan, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to meet different preferences. This inclusivity ensures that all parents, regardless of their preferred payment method, can easily make payments.
Additionally, for schools with international students, offering options for international payments can be highly beneficial. With Payfast’s Multi-Currency Pricing (MCP) feature, online payments can be made in a foreign currency that gets settled in the school’s account in ZAR. The Payfast ecommerce and in-person payment solutions also accept popular international cards, such as American Express, Diners Club and China UnionPay, catering for a wide range of foreign students.
How education payment systems can enhance fundraising and donations
Fundraising and donations play a crucial role in supporting South African schools. A seamless payment system can simplify the process of collecting donations and fundraising contributions, making it easier for donors to support the school.
Schools can increase their fundraising efforts and track contributions efficiently by offering a secure and straightforward way to donate, both online and in person. In addition to traditional payment methods, schools can utilise features like Payfast’s Request a Payment feature, where they can email parents a clickable link for them to easily make a quick donation via their preferred payment method.
The future of payments in education
The adoption of a seamless payment system can bring about numerous benefits for South African schools. From enhancing administrative efficiency and improving the parent and student experience to ensuring financial security and supporting diverse payment needs, modern payment solutions can transform the way schools manage their finances. By embracing these technologies, schools can focus on their primary mission: providing quality education and fostering the growth and development of their students.
To find out how Payfast by Network can streamline payments for your school or education facility at a competitive rate, reach out to our Sales Team via live chat on our website or via the Contact page.
