Compulsory ID cards for 11 yr olds?

First off I should state I am in the UK. I received a letter from my daughters school stating she was entitled to a free myfife card from the local council. Further in the letter it states that 'All pupils within the school need to have the card to use essential services'. Having looked on their website they claim the card is NOT compulsory but without it children cannot have free school meals, free transport, access to the library and the internet.


I have written a letter of complaint to the council, here are some of my reasons-


Their website states "SmartFood - instead of carrying money for school meals, just pay with your myfife card." since the cards require the pupil to carry cash to school to top the card up this statement is misleading information. I do believe it is against the European Union laws to provide such misleading information.


If services are 'essential' then they should not be denied to pupils who do not wish to carry a photographic ID card.


Am I right ?

Compulsory ID cards for 11 yr olds?
The child does not have to take cash to the school, that's the point. You can send (or even mail in) a check or money order made out to the school. (Here, you can top it off on line with your debt card, but that probably depends on your school district.) The child uses the card for whatever costs extra: lunch, library fines, material fees, etc., and never carries cash and can't lose it.





Personally, I've never heard of a library where you don't need a library card. Public libraries even have them. Since they expect you to return the books you borrow, it doesn't seem unreasonable for them to keep an accounting.





I agree that saying a card isn't compulsory and then saying it's necessary for essential services is contradictory, but I don't see why that in itself would be a reason to object to it.





EDIT: Odd. Really odd. I mean, what would be the point of buying the card with cash, right? Maybe the website has just neglected to post the info on where you send your checks. I'd call the school principal and ask about sending a check. If s/he says you have to pay with cash, then, yeah, I'd make a big ole fuss! It totally defeats the point. Try your local media. Public humiliation often sets bureaucracies straight. :)





EDIT: Wow, no kidding ... Yeah, girl, you're totally right! Go give 'em some heck! They totally deserve it. Rat them out to every federal agency and media outlet who will listen. (Keep bugging the feds until they're so sick of you they actually want to do something about it. :) Good luck, hun.
Reply:I'm sure they've no idea who they're up against! Go get, 'em, girl! ;)





Thanx for BA. :) Report Abuse

Reply:I live in the U.S. and my 11 year old has a lunch credit card. You have to pay by check monthly to get their card loaded for school lunch, or they can not have school lunch for the school. Its totally cashless and they claim that this is less hassle, and gets the kids through the lines quicker. I think its a bunch of BS!


They are already doing retina scans on the kids too, but thats


Still optional...not for long I suppose. This world is getting scary, its all about control. Type in Alex Jones in your google search engine. He has alot of documentaries about a wide range of issues just like this one.
Reply:A compulsory ID card will not be required in the USA. The child's ID will be burned on his/her back.


It is now up in Congress for a vote. McCain is for it. Obama wants it burned on the arm.
Reply:These cards are introduced to help reduce bullying and theft from school children.





They are in essence a prepayment card, which needs to have something on it that is identifiable to an individual.





Don't worry, just get one.