PNG’s largest bank, Bank South Pacific (BSP), is stepping up efforts to move school fee payments online, urging schools in Mt Hagen and other regions to register on its merchant banking platform.
The call follows repeated scenes of long lines outside the Mt Hagen branch as parents flock to deposit fees at the start of the school year.
Branch manageress Theresa Pilamp said digital banking would provide a smoother process for both parents and school administrations.
“We would like parents to not take long to make deposits,” she said.
“That is why we would like to see schools use the mobile banking or Wantok Wallet or Internet banking.”
BSP offers several options for fee payments, including mobile banking, the *131# service, Wantok Wallet and personal internet banking for salaried workers.
Ms Pilamp said the platforms allow parents to receive immediate confirmation after payment, which can then be submitted to schools as proof.
“Parents receive proof of payment quickly upon completion of the payment,” she said.
She noted that reconciliation reports are automatically emailed to schools, ensuring proper monitoring of transactions.
Hagen Park Secondary and 18 other schools have already signed up to the system. Ms Pilamp encouraged the remaining 178 primary schools, 13 secondary schools and 11 technical vocational institutions to take advantage of the service.
“It is a free and secure service for all schools,” she said.