Bulk SMS for schools: what works
Kenyan schools use SMS because it reaches every parent, including those with basic phones. These practices help messages get read and fees get paid.
What schools send by SMS
| Message | When to send |
|---|---|
| Fee balance reminder | Two weeks and three days before the deadline |
| Opening and closing dates | One week before, then the day before |
| Exam and results notices | When results are ready to collect or view |
| Meetings and events | One week before, with a reminder the day before |
| Emergencies and closures | Immediately |
Collect parents' numbers properly
Collect phone numbers on the admission form, with a line saying the school will send fee, academic and emergency messages by SMS. Ask for a second number for emergencies. Update the list every new term, because numbers change.
Fee reminders that get paid
- State the exact balance and the deadline.
- Give the Paybill number and what to enter as the account, usually the admission number.
- Sign off with the school's name so the message is trusted.
- Keep the tone polite. A reminder is not a demand letter.
Import balances from your fees system as a CSV and use variables, so each parent sees their own figure.
Timing and frequency
Send routine notices in the morning or early evening, when parents check their phones. Avoid late nights. Too many messages train parents to ignore them, so keep routine SMS to what matters and save urgent wording for real emergencies.