Biometric ID Introduced At More And More Schools
Pastor Dale Morgan
Biometric ID Introduced At More And More Schools*
SCHOOL dinners have been given a hi-tech overhaul at one Ribble Valley
school.
A biometric cashless payment system and state-of-the-art kitchen
equipment have been installed at Bowland High School in partnership with
Lancashire County's Commercial Services Catering Division.
Bowland's dining area has also been redecorated and wired for sound –
there are plans to install a video link.
Most pupils at Bowland buy a school meal and sales are among the highest
in Lancashire from kitchens managed by LCCS.
The improved facilities support the school's healthy eating policy and
meet new national school food standards, providing pupils with improved
menus, more choice and fresh, local produce.
The new money-less payment system, already used in several Lancashire
schools, uses biometric technology to create a digital signature from a
partial fingerprint. The unique image which is created replaces cash at
the point of sale.
The school explained the system is secure and meets the requirements of
the Data Protection Act. It added the biometric registration is
voluntary, but it had received a very enthusiastic response from
catering staff, pupils and parents when it opened for business.
Headteacher Mr Stephen Cox said: "Although biometric identification has
been used in schools for library use for a number of years, we are one
of the first schools in Lancashire to embrace the technology for use in
paying for school meals, while it is early days the pupils have embraced
the technology and we are hoping it will enhance their lunchtime
experience by speeding up service."
Mrs Elaine Cox, of LCCS, demonstrates use of the cashless payment system
to her daughter, Melissa, a Year 8 pupil. (s)