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eMoney News

Parent favours smart card cashless catering system
23 Oct 2009

Some parents of children at King Edward VI Community College in Totnes are fans of cashless catering - but are not necessarily keen on fingerprints being taken to pay for meals.

That is the view of Michael Wells, who has a child that attends the Devonshire school.

He told BBC News that voucher systems or contactless smart cards could solve the problem of children losing their money before buying their lunches in the canteen.

Mr Wells explained that a fingerprint system - which the school in question has delayed implementing due to some objections from parents - "invades privacy".

Contactless smart card payment systems have been set up by eMoney network sQuidcard in a number of Wiltshire schools recently - and have been commended by pupils and parents alike.

Youngsters no longer have to carry cash to school and the technology means that those who are entitled to free school dinners receive their meals in a discreet manner, thus avoiding the stigma often felt by those on benefits.