Becta guidance gives green light

Biometric fingerprint recognition technology in schools has been given the thumbs up by Becta, the DCSF and the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

The new guidance confirms that schools can legally make use of this technology to support their efficient day-to-day management and security.

I have seen at first hand how well [biometric] systems work. They can speed up lunch queues, remove the need for children to carry money and take away the stigma of singling out those on free school meals. Moreover, they can enable schools to register pupils more easily as they move from class to class.

We give schools complete freedom to run their own affairs and I back every head teacher's right and professional judgement to choose technology to improve their day-to-day running.

- Jim Knight, Schools Minister
July 2007

See the full report at www.becta.org.uk.