In progress to the digitisation spree in CBSE schools, the governing body has advised its schools to encourage cashless transaction among students through their everyday purchases made inside the school canteen. The idea is to introduce smart cards in canteens and small shops inside the premises.
To teach students to use the cards, schools have also been asked to use activity weeks to push digital payment. They would also assign each student to promote the same at home and to at least ten people outside their family.
Recently, early this December Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) held a meeting of 350 nodal schools and conducted an orientation on how to make the schools go completely cashless.
After a couple of days CBSE issued a notice on payment of salary to staff through bank deposit and payment of fees only through "non-cash" mode. The meeting aimed at discussing ideas to inspire students to go cashless.
"The schools are now being asked to sensitise students on cashless transaction. However, it's an advisory ," said a senior CBSE official. "Students' involvement will make promoting cashless transaction easier."
For payment of fees in its competitive exams e-wallets like SBI Buddy and Paytm would be induced. CBSE also has in its cards to do away with the challan mode of payment for affiliation from January when the new cycle starts. The payment mode will henceforth be through debit/credit cards or net banking.
For Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, students will be trained from Class IX onwards and teachers on cashless modes of payment and use services of Scouts and Guides to educate various sections of society . A circular has already been sent to its regional offices. Sessions on this, will be held in the schools by experts.