A NEW ‘cashless’ payment system for school meals is now in operation at all Powys secondary schools.

Powys County Council is introducing electronic payments in schools which offers a convenient method for parents and carers to pay for meals.

The first phase of the project is now complete with the system in place at the county’s secondary schools. To date over 360,000 school meals have been paid for through the system with 6,100 pupils using it.

Under the new system, money can be pre-loaded and ‘topped up’ on an online account with pupils using for school meals, and in the future, a range of other school based payments.

The change has been welcomed with positive feedback from parents, pupils and staff.

The take-up of free school meals in the secondary schools has increased by eight per cent since the system was introduced.

Queuing time for pupils at the canteen tills has also reduced.

The system can inform catering staff of specific dietary requirements such as allergies and parents/carers will also have the ability if required to see what their children are eating in school.

David Powell, Powys County Council’s strategic director for resources, said: “We are pleased to report the new payment system is now available at all our county secondary schools. The changes would not be possible without the support of the schools, staff, parents and pupils so we would like to thank them all for their co-operation. It is a system which benefits all and we look forward to progressing the project across other schools in the county.”

Work will continue on the roll-out of the cashless system to primary schools in the county and the addition of non-meal payments.