A primary school in Lai Chi Kok has become the first 'fingerprint school' in Hong Kong after a successful trial period with the technology.
Lai Chi Kok Catholic Primary School has installed five fingerprint readers around the campus for the daily registration of their pupils.
The technology, manufactured by Sky Well Group, replaces the ritual of calling out names and marking the register. There are plans to expand its use to the library and the school canteen.
Headmistress Wong Man-bing said the new system would save staff a lot of trouble. 'It will save the teachers a lot of time in the morning so they can concentrate on their jobs,' she said.
'There were some concerns about whether the students would understand how the technology works, but it is so easy to use and the pupils have taken to it very quickly.'
The installations cost the school about $40,000 and work by screening distinguishing fingerprint characteristics of the left thumb.
Ms Wong said the machines would save money in the long run.
