The risk of students being robbed of money will be greatly reduced with the introduction of a student identification debit card to pay school expenses and purchase items on school campuses.

Students receive an identification card which not only displays their photograph and name but also facilitates online bio data of students.

Value can be added to the ID card at a Bill Express or Western Union location, after which it can be used to pay for tuition, lunch and other school expenses as well as credit for Digicel phones.

The new ID cards are intended to "make administration and school bill paying easier and more efficient and to reduce the occurrence of theft by removing the use of cash from daily school activity," said Khary Robinson, innovator of the student ID card.

Secure password

Every school will be given a secure password to view, reconcile and track student payments. The card will also allow parents to track their children's spending habits and ensure that money given to them is being used as designated. Card users will also receive text messages, advising them when the card balance is low.

Students from several schools in the Corporate Area have already begun using the card, which was first introduced at St Peter and Paul Preparatory School last April. It has subsequently been imple-mented successfully at Wolmer's Girls and Boys, Ardenne High, Camperdown High, St George's College and Campion College last September.

With assistance from Digicel, the student card will be issued to high school students at no charge.