At least 285 English schools are fingerprinting children

CW June 8, 2007 4

Almost 300 English schools are now using fingerprinting technology on children, most without Government guidance or parental consent, a Liberal Democrat investigation has revealed.

Only a quarter of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) have any form of guidance and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) have not issued any guidance on when and how biometric data should be collected and stored.

The software can also operate through a barcode and no records are held as to whether schools use this or the biometric option.

One concerned father in Oxford, Ben Emlyn-Jones, has refused permission for his daughter’s school to take her fingerprints.

Mr Emlyn-Jones said: “I am really quite disturbed about it. It reminds me of a Big Brother state. There may be advantages in having a fingerprint database, but the price you pay is too high It is as if they know it is wrong and have done it secretly, hoping no-one finds out..
“Once people are on a computer then the world’s your oyster as far as the Government is concerned.
“It also desensitises kids. When they’re grown up and they apply for a passport and apply for jobs they won’t bat an eyelid about having fingerprints taken or a laser being shined in their eyes.” Mr Emlyn-Jones added.

Also nearly 30 schools in Devon alone are using the technology including St Joseph’s RC and Exeter Road primaries in Exmouth. Ladysmith and Stoke Hill juniors and Redhills, St Leonard’s and St Sidwell’s primaries in Exeter; St John’s RC primary in Tiverton; Westcliff School, Dawlish; and Wolborough primary, Newton Abbot.

Lib Dem education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: “These figures confirm an extremely worrying situation where schools are fingerprinting pupils without any guidance on whether it is legal to do so. Insecure school computers holding precious unique personal information are a gift to identity thieves.”

The Liberal Democrats are urging parents to write to the government to find out if schools are fingerpritning its pupils and to push for regulation across all LEAs.

A DfES spokesman said: “It is for individual schools to decide if they wish to take and hold biometric data. However, schools are very experienced in dealing with data and all schools must abide by the Data Protection Act.

“They are also obliged to inform pupils, or parents where the child is too young to understand, what information they have on record and what they use it for.

“We will shortly be issuing guidance to all schools on best practice when taking, storing and disposing of data, including biometric data.”