Schools are now reopening after the short second term’s midterm that started in the last week of June 2023.
Once students are back in school, parents will start getting inundated with unsolicited messages purportedly from their children. The common denominator in all of these messages is the request for money to fund various needs and wants at school.
“Hey mum calculator yangu haifanyi kazi na tuna mtihani tumia mwalimu Michael 1450 mpigie kwa no (0792387***) aninunulie. Nimwaminifu kwangu.” This was the message that Karen Kawira received a day after her daughter returned to school for her second term in April.
On the same day, John Mugambi received a related message from a different number. “Hi mum, sanduku yangu ilivunjwa nikaibiwa. Sina chochote, nitumie 2850 kwa no ya teacher Bernard. No yake ni 0701257***. Asante” the message said.
While some parents have fallen victim, others have been left scratching their heads on how they can be managing, monitoring, and meeting their children’s expenses while at school without losing cash to con men and fraudsters.
Unlike previous years when a child was given pocket money to sustain them through a school term, today, all a child needs is a prepaid visa card which the parent can load, monitor, and manage how it is spent.
This prepaid card comes courtesy of the Co-operative Bank. The new visa card allows parents to securely meet their kid’s shopping needs while they’re at school.
“Apply for a Co-op Pay card today at your nearest branch, no account needed, and enjoy quick card collection or free delivery to school within 4 days,” says Co-op Bank.
By using this card, your child will be able to pay for goods and services in school. In addition, you will be able to load it up remotely and monitor how money is spent.
“You can load the card from anywhere, anytime from Mpesa paybill 400200, at any Co-op Kwa Jirani, or transfer from any local bank account using Pesalink,” says Co-op Bank in a statement.
Kenyans borrowing Sh. 6.4 billion per month on Co-op Bank mobile app Mco-op Cash
Interestingly, it is not mandatory for you to be a customer at the Co-operative Bank to get the card for your child. You can still get and use this card regardless of where you bank.
You will be able to load money into this card at any Co-op Bank branch or Co-op Kwa Jirani agent. Alternatively, you will be able to do a funds transfer from your Co-op Bank account to this card using the MCo-op Cash mobile app.
To apply for the card:
- Collect an application form at your nearest Co-op Bank branch.
- Once you have filled the form, take it to school along with a copy of your ID and KRA PIN, a copy of the student’s ID and birth certificate.
“If you already have a Co-opPay Card for your child, remember to load up their pocket money before the mid-term break ends. Ensure they have enough funds for all their needs and experiences,” says Co-op Bank.
