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At least 26 schools have required additional hands-on assistance to help address concerns over the Government's new online payments system.
The concerns relate to "teething issues" that have emerged since the Government started delivering its Integrated Technology Solution (ITS) programme or 'Connect' systems in January.
The transition was intended to improve how the government manages finances, assets, inventory and suppliers and replaces the increasingly unsupported Supply Jersey and JD Edwards technologies.
However, the switch has caused several issues, most notably regarding Connect Finance which hindered the government's ability to pay invoices and caused Treasury Minister Ian Gorst to ask suppliers for ‘patience’ while it tackled the IT problems.
The changes also meant some parents of new pupils who had previously been sent a direct debit form for their school fees needed to complete a new form before the start of the academic year.
In an email seen by Express, JCG bursar Julie Forsyth informed some parents that: "Unfortunately we have only just recently been made aware from Treasury that the direct debits that were previously submitted cannot be migrated across to the new system."
Following this, Express asked the government if other schools had raised concerns about the new system.
ITS programme director Craig Barlow said: "As with any new ways of working there have been inevitable teething problems and some schools have experienced these during the transitional period.
"So far, 26 schools have been provided with extra hands-on assistance to complement the initial training, the on-line training material and period of enhanced support with a plan to visit the remaining schools throughout April. These additional face-to-face sessions have provided valuable support, helping colleagues work through their concerns."
He added: "We are confident this activity has eased concerns and resolved issues.
"Direct debits for parents already paying school fees were successfully transferred automatically on to Connect Finance. The parents of new pupils had previously been sent a direct debit form (in 2021) but the move to Connect meant that a new direct debit form needed to be completed before their children start school."
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