This works for us and the students inform us when they have ignited.
Themselves or the bunsens???
At the last school I was at I bought those candle-lighters, with the flexi-necks and metal ends, which avoids unnecessary melting or other forms of vandalism. I figured if the teachers have to go around handing out matches, they might as well go around lighting bunsens themselves. The teachers retain custody of the exciting lighter. They are also refillable.
![Thumbsup :thumbup:](./images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Matches only came out for first years to get their "Bunsen Licences". You'd be amazed how many kids don't know how to light a match, because of the reduction in smoking, and gas stoves with self-ignitions.
In my current school I could count on one hand the number of annoying match-related incidents. The kids just light their bunsens and rarely play with the matches. Mind you, I AM pretty scary.
![Mad :mad:](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
However, I also hand out boxes with about 8 matches in each. Seems to be some kind of psychological happy medium. Kids see enough matches to get their bunsen lit, but not enough to play with, without getting sprung.