Source: The Express UK
DOZENS of Scottish schools have introduced “intrusive” biometric systems, such as fingerprinting, to identify pupils as young as four.
New figures show 68 schools are now using technology to manage meals, control library books and even allow access to toilets.
Almost two-thirds are primaries, where fingerprinting and palm recognition can be used to identify young children.
And another 10 schools in Midlothian have the capability for biometric ID but are not yet using it.
Yesterday, critics said the extent which the technology was being used in Scotland’s schools was “worrying”.
Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown, who uncovered the figures through Freedom of Information legislation, said: “If the vast majority of Scotland’s schools can let children move round the premises and pay for their lunch without biometric identification, it is difficult to see why it is necessary for these 68 schools. Public bodies have shown in the past that they are not always to be trusted with sensitive personal data.
“Do we really want this sort of intrusive information taken from young children?”
Mr Brown said the use of technology in classrooms also risked ID cards being introduced through the “backdoor”.
He added: “The data seems to be used for trivial matters, such as access to libraries and paying for meals.”
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