“Paying School Fees in Kind”: An Alternative Payment Method Adopted by Anisa Junior School

A parent in Yambio County has resorted to paying school fees for his primary school children inform of foodstuffs.

“Paying school fees in Kind,” typically refers to a form of payment made with goods or services instead of traditional currency. This practice is not very common and usually occurs in specific situations or under certain circumstances.

Mr. Dominic Peter Irisongba, a parent of three children studying at St. Gabriel Anisa Junior School while handing over the stuff in the morning Monday 17^th, 2023 said, he brought items because he doesn’t have cash at hand to pay his children to school with the foodstuff in form of school fees.

“I have three children studying at St. Gabriel Anisa Junior Nursery and primary school, I decided that since I don’t have money to pay, I asked the school administration if I could bring food items instead of money to enable my children to stay in school and learn so that they may have a better future”, Mr. Irisongba stated.

 The head Teacher of St. Gabriel Anisa Junior School, Mr. Elias Ginana Mangbondo said that the management of the school is very happy with the move taken by the parent to help learners.

“In our school, we decided and agreed together with our parents, we have seen the situation of our parents who are sending their children to our school, and we decided to give ample time and opportunity to each and everyone that, if you don’t have cash, please whatever you have in kind bring it, we shall take it and register your child”, Mr. Ginana said.

Regina Tamaregu Dominic a daughter to Mr. Dominic applauded her father for his care towards her education.

“Thank you I am Regina Temeregu, I am very happy because my father has come to pay our school fees, he brought Cassava flour and palm oil, I am very happy and my thanks go to my father and my mother, I also thanked my teachers, I am in class two. I came to give thanks here because I want to study to become a reverence Sister in the future”, Regina narrated.

Mr. Dominic thanked the administration of St. Gabriel Anisa Junior School for accepting the food items.

St. Gabriel Anisa Junior School is under the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio located in the Ikpiro Yambio suburb.

“Paying in kind” means providing something of value that can be used or consumed by the recipient. Instead of paying with money, individuals may offer goods or services that the school or educational institution can utilize. This could involve various arrangements, depending on the agreement between the parties involved.

Here are a few examples to illustrate how paying school fees in kind might work:

1. Bartering: Instead of monetary payment, parents or guardians might negotiate with the school to exchange goods or services. For instance, a parent who owns a bookstore might provide a certain number of books to the school library in exchange for their child’s tuition.
2. Skills or expertise: In some cases, parents or community members may offer their professional skills or expertise to the school in lieu of monetary payment. For example, a parent who is a qualified electrician might provide electrical maintenance or repair services to the school.
3. Goods or supplies: Parents might contribute specific goods or supplies that the school needs. This could include textbooks, stationery, sports equipment, or any other items that the school requires for its operations. The value of these goods is considered as payment for the fees.
4. Fundraising and volunteering: Schools may organize fundraising events or programs where parents, students, and community members can participate. By contributing their time, effort, or resources to these initiatives, individuals can help generate funds for the school, which can then be used to cover their children’s school fees.

It’s important to note that paying school fees in kind is not a universally accepted practice and largely depends on the policies and discretion of the educational institution. It’s advisable to contact the school administration or relevant authorities to inquire about their specific payment options and guidelines if you are considering such arrangements.