Ask - Q1 Fees Payments

Question

We appreciate that we have to pay school tuition fess  as per requirement and we obliged to do so, however we are facing minor challenge which will be resolved as we progress.

Being in Zambia, you will agree with me that the impact of COVID  19 has left a lot of scars on most businesses and cash flows ,leaving most companies including ours in  cash low  stress. And its only now that business are starting to to stabilize ,also being helped by the economic strategies of the new  government.

Schools have just opened two weeks ago ,in the process of putting our resources together ,we are told our children should stay away from school . Are we not creating another problem here -psychological and performance issues ,especially for those in examination classes.

I don't how two weeks Debtors age analysis will impact on the school's exposure to Debtors risks? 

I have been with ISL for eleven years ,l have met all obligations as a parent ,its only now  that we are  facing  minor challenges,because of impact of COVID 19 on our business. This is a phase which ,by November/ December ,it will be thing of the past.

With the above, l will appreciate your consideration and revisit your decision- unless we were  stilling owing from the previous semester ,in that  case it would be  high debtors risk exposure.

Answer

Thank you for using the 'ask' service. Parents may send any questions to ask@isl.sch.zm and we will post our replies publicly on this blog.

The simple answer to your question is that we do need parents to pay school fees in order for the school to run. We did invoice for the first quarter on 8th July with a due date of 5th August. We are now two weeks beyond the due date and do need parents to pay their fees.

When parents send children to school without paying fees it has two defects. Firstly, it creates problems for our accounts department who find themselves constantly chasing accounts receivable and secondly it is not really consistent to expect some parents to pay while others get schooling without paying. The requirement is not unreasonable - if you want to attend school please pay your fees.

If you are experiencing cash-flow problems, the solution is to contact accounts and set up a monthly payment plan; our accounts department will be happy to help you.