OPPOSITION is mounting to the use of biometric fingerprinting in schools amid claims the scheme is a first step on the Big Brother ladder.
Aside from concern over the principle of the data base technology being introduced by East Dunbartonshire Council, some parents are also questioning whether the money would not be better used for educational purposes.
MSP Gil Paterson, who has bee
n approached by parents who have learned the scheme will be used in the new Bearsden Academy, has written to education secretary Fiona Hyslop.
He told the Herald: "This proposal is wholly unacceptable — introducing this Big Brother intrusion in schools is a step too far."
Teacher Neil Scot is one parent who contacted the Herald and said: "I am concerned with the fact that the new Bearsden Academy is going to use biometric fingerprinting. My son starts this school next term and will be among the first First Years into the newly built academy next Easter.
Rights
"Surely this impinges on the rights of the child? Collecting data like this — among children who will probably think it is "cool" is not asking an informed demographic to forego a right after consultation and informed debate.
"I believe the introduction of this technology is wrong and has absolutely no value beyond preparing a generation for life in the database state and giving the school authorities the warm glow of control.
"As a teacher myself, I see no value in this system which I have read is in the order of £27,000. I feel it is money better spent by the authority on books, computers and sports equipment.
"There may be an argument for biometrics in adult life — a debate voters can have — but absolutely no argument to start to prepare and to log our children's biometrics — they have no say in this at all — and by the time they are voters, these impositions on their privacy will already be logged and available to multi agencies."
East Dunbartonshire Council say children do have a choice and can elect to have a pin number, rather than be fingerprinted.
A spokesman explained: "It is intended to install the biometric system in all new PPP schools and is a much more advanced technology but pupils will have the opportunity to opt out.
"The software uses the fingerprint to create an alpha-numeric signature and the image is then discarded. The number that remains can not be re-interpreted into a fingerprint image. This complies with the guidelines in the British Educational Communications and Technol-ogy Agency (BECTA) and the Information Commissioner's guidance.
"The benefits of the system are the prevention of bullying, and alleviating the stigma of free school meals. Earlier this year this system was introduced in both Lenzie Academy and Boclair Academy and been a success and positively received."
But Mr Paterson insisted: "The fact that fingerprinting has already been introduced in an EDC school doesn't make it right — I have grave concerns if it has slipped through and if it has started I believe we're going in the wrong direction."
