Starting January, over 18,000 CBSE-affiliated schools to go cashless

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools in the country to go cashless in their transactions, including fee collection, from January 2017.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools in the country to go cashless in their transactions, including fee collection, from January 2017.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools in the country to go cashless in their transactions, including fee collection, from January 2017.(HT file Photo/Mujeeb Faruqui)

The education board issued a circular on Saturday to all the 18,000 schools under it asking them to collect fees from students either online or through non-cash mode from the next quarter to reduce cash transactions.

“The schools should also make all payments for availing various services, procurements, wages to contractual workers and other transactions, etc. in non-cash mode,” the circular said.

It has also directed its affiliated schools to disburse salary to staff through bank transfers. Schools will also have to make all payments for availing various services, procurements, wages to contractual workers and other transactions in non-cash mode.

Board officials, who did not wish to be named, said schools have been asked to come with up their own plans for going cashless in their other transactions. They said authorities can encourage the use of top-up cards in canteens and ask parents to buy uniforms and books through cashless modes.

Sources said cash payments will not be accepted for paying the fee at all affiliated private schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Though the circular did not talk about the Centre’s demonetisation move, it is a nod to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation drive and an attempt to give a boost to cashless transactions.

While announcing the surprise decision to withdraw two high-value banknotes on November 8, Modi said it was a war on black money. Demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes is also aimed at fast-tracking the country towards a digital, cashless economy nudging more and more Indians to use internet and mobile banking and open bank accounts.

The board has already introduced e-payment facilities for collection of fees for examination, affiliation and various activities including payments to its examination functionaries.

School authorities have been asked to interact with parents during the Parent Teachers Meeting (PTM) and make them aware of the new rule. They have also been asked to spread awareness about the benefits of non-cash transactions by undertaking promotional activities.

“Schools can organise various programmes like workshops, seminars, competitions such as essay writing, slogan writing, to create awareness and to inculcate the habit of adopting cashless payments in day to day life,” the circular said.