A number of parents have reacted angrily to Angus education convener Peter Nield’s assertion that no family has decided to opt out of biometric identity systems involving school children with one terming the technology “appalling.”
On Tuesday, Mr Nield defended the local authority’s use of the system, which allows children to access school meals and library books, claiming that there was absolutely no security risk.
He added that council officials had received not a single complaint on the process since its introduction in 2001 and all parents appeared happy to have their children’s fingerprints taken.
However, Kirriemuir father-of-two Graham Galloway was just one of several parents who contacted The Courier to refute Mr Nield’s claims.
His two daughters attend Southmuir Primary School and each year he has asked the school not to take their fingerprints as he is worried that it is tantamount to “brainwashing.”
He said, “There is a security risk as we have to ask where this data is being stored.
“But quite apart from that, my main concern is that it is teaching a generation of children that it is fine for people in authority to routinely ask for biometric information.”
He added, “When they leave school, they might think it’s perfectly fine for the police to ask for this kind of information.
“It’s an appalling system.”‘Positive’ feedbackAnother parent, who asked not to be named, said the fact the council seemed unaware that some families had opted out of the system made him less than confident about its ability to protect data.
The debate has surfaced in the wake of figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats, which show that such technology is used in 68 schools Scotland-wide.
Renowned human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar said that it constituted the introduction of “Big Brother by the back door.”
On Wednesday Angus Council could not provide figures on exactly how many parents had opted out of the biometric system.
However, a spokeswoman said, “The cashless catering system allows parents to choose from a number of options for payment of school meals.
“The vast majority choose the biometric identity system, with only a handful choosing other options such as the national entitlement card or by PIN.”
She added, “At all times the council follows Scottish Government guidance on the use of biometric technologies in schools, and information is available to parents to assist them in making a decision as to whether or not to use this option.
“Feedback from pupils has been positive, with favourable comments in terms of convenience and improved speed of service.”