Schulchat RLP as [matrix]-based school messenger (matrix-conf-2025)

fairkom has developed a [matrix]-based school messenger for the Department of Education of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate to serve up to half a million users. Schulchat RLP has one code base for all platforms and is available as app on Apple and Google Play Stores. What makes this solution unique is the deep integration of the identity and user management system from the "Bildungsportal RLP", ensuring seamless use for teachers, students, and even parents - from primary to vocational schools. For Schulchat RLP we have added a sophisticated address book into the messenger with role based communication templates and adapted the client application, based on FluffyChat, to meet pedagogical requirements, such as enabling active read confirmations. We will be presenting the project lifecycle, challenges with E2EE, SSO, hosting and how we manage user feedback and daily operations. fairkom is a silver member of the [matrix] foundation and offers custom messaging solutions and scalable hosting. Licensed to the public under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ about this event: https://cfp.2025.matrix.org/matrix-conf-2025/talk/QTBJP3/