Debit card system for schoolchildren to be expanded

The debit card system implemented for use by schoolchildren in the country will be expanded in stages as part of efforts to educate them to develop in line with the global digital era.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said currently, several schools were using the debit card system for students to buy food in the canteen, as well as other items at the school cooperatives.

"We must educate students to be ready for the digital world which is coming, with one feature being 'cashless', as out there, people use the debit card, not cash.

"We try at the schools, maybe not totally using the debit card at the cooperatives or canteens...if there are 1,500 students and just 30 minutes of recess, I do not think it can be used. But let us move towards that," he said.

Mahdzir was speaking to reporters after officiating the graduation ceremony for 390 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sultan Sulaiman here Thursday.

At present, three fully-residential schools, namely SMK Sains Seri Puteri in Putrajaya, Kolej Tunku Kurshiah in Negeri Sembilan and Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak in Kedah are using the debit card as part of the schools' digital application.

-- BERNAMA