Pupils to pay for school meals using fingerprint

May 5 2009 By Mark Goode

Fingerprint technology is coming to Matthew Arnold School

The science fiction age seems to be drawing nearer due to a Staines school employing a new canteen system.

Matthew Arnold School, in Kingston Road, is bringing in a finger scan recognition scheme to replace a swipe card system currently used to allow pupils to buy lunch.

The scheme will start on Monday May 11 and works by students placing their index finger on a small machine which will bring up their identity and lunch balance for the cashier to see.

Business manager at the school Chincia Douglas, said: "Parents will put money into an account which the children can use when they place their finger on the machine. We are thinking of putting a limit on what each child can spend each day, and in the future we may award pupils who choose healthier meals."

Miss Douglas said the system, donned 'cashless catering' will take away the problems of lost cards or bullying for lunch money because the account is registered to the parent.

One Staines mother of a 15-year-old girl who attends the school, did not want to be named, but said she feared for the system because it might lead to her daughter's information being used for other purposes.

She said: "It seems a bit dangerous to me because you read a lot about credit card fraud, and the information could be passed on to other people."

But Miss Douglas said that after the finger has been placed in the machine, only class information, the balance of the account, and the child's picture will show up.

She added: "The system should hopefully get the students to understand how to manage money, and will hopefully stop them from buying sweets as the money is in the account. We are one of the first schools in Surrey to start using it, and everybody seems quite excited."

Miss Douglas said it would be up to the parents to decide how much money can be spent for lunch each day, but she said a limit of £4 would be advised.

What do you think? Is this progress or is it morally offensive to record children's fingerprints? We want to hear from you so please post your comments below.