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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pupil fingerprint plans defended | Pupil fingerprint plans defended |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Education chiefs in Dumfries and Galloway have defended plans to take pupils fingerprints before they can borrow library books. | Education chiefs in Dumfries and Galloway have defended plans to take pupils fingerprints before they can borrow library books. |
| The scheme, which is already used in Angus, Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh, is being proposed at Lockerbie Academy and Dumfries Academy. | |
| It has prompted civil liberties concerns from parents and politicians. | |
| Education director Fraser Sanderson said the system had been shown to be safe and was entirely optional. | Education director Fraser Sanderson said the system had been shown to be safe and was entirely optional. |
| Green MSPs have tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament seeking an investigation of the scheme. | Green MSPs have tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament seeking an investigation of the scheme. |
| However, Mr Sanderson said he did not think such concerns were justified. | However, Mr Sanderson said he did not think such concerns were justified. |
| "I do not think they are legitimate at all," he said. | "I do not think they are legitimate at all," he said. |
| I just felt that the need to fingerprint school kids for the use of a library seemed really over the top Nick JenningsLockerbie Academy parent | I just felt that the need to fingerprint school kids for the use of a library seemed really over the top Nick JenningsLockerbie Academy parent |
| "We have two schools, Lockerbie Academy and Dumfries Academy, who purchased new computerised systems for their libraries at the end of last session." | "We have two schools, Lockerbie Academy and Dumfries Academy, who purchased new computerised systems for their libraries at the end of last session." |
| As part of this the education director said they were offered a free fingerprinting package which they chose to take. | As part of this the education director said they were offered a free fingerprinting package which they chose to take. |
| "Both schools have sent out letters to parents indicating their intentions and making it quite clear that this is an opt-in or opt-out option," he said. | "Both schools have sent out letters to parents indicating their intentions and making it quite clear that this is an opt-in or opt-out option," he said. |
| "There is no detriment to the children who do not participate." | "There is no detriment to the children who do not participate." |
| Mr Sanderson added that the system had increased book borrowing and reduced theft at 3,000 other schools across the UK where it was used. | Mr Sanderson added that the system had increased book borrowing and reduced theft at 3,000 other schools across the UK where it was used. |
| Green MSPs have expressed concern about fingerprinting pupils | Green MSPs have expressed concern about fingerprinting pupils |
| He said it had been checked by both the council and the information commissioner to ensure the data stored was adequately protected. | He said it had been checked by both the council and the information commissioner to ensure the data stored was adequately protected. |
| He dismissed as "spurious" claims that pupils were being treated like criminals. | He dismissed as "spurious" claims that pupils were being treated like criminals. |
| Lockerbie Academy parent Nick Jennings, however, has called upon the council to withdraw the system immediately. | Lockerbie Academy parent Nick Jennings, however, has called upon the council to withdraw the system immediately. |
| "My first reaction was one of concern," he said. | "My first reaction was one of concern," he said. |
| "I just felt that the need to fingerprint school kids for the use of a library seemed really over the top. | "I just felt that the need to fingerprint school kids for the use of a library seemed really over the top. |
| "My main concern was that this seemed to be coming about without any public debate." | "My main concern was that this seemed to be coming about without any public debate." |
| 'No guarantee' | 'No guarantee' |
| Mr Jennings said he was unhappy about the "casual way" in which the subject was being handled. | Mr Jennings said he was unhappy about the "casual way" in which the subject was being handled. |
| He added that although reassurances had been given about data security he remained unconvinced. | He added that although reassurances had been given about data security he remained unconvinced. |
| "There is no guarantee - we have hackers hacking into the American defence system," he said. | "There is no guarantee - we have hackers hacking into the American defence system," he said. |
| South of Scotland Green MSP Chris Ballance was alerted to the situation by concerned parents in his area. | South of Scotland Green MSP Chris Ballance was alerted to the situation by concerned parents in his area. |
| We should be encouraging children to understand and value their civil liberties Patrick Harvie MSP | We should be encouraging children to understand and value their civil liberties Patrick Harvie MSP |
| "I have been contacted by local parents and I share their outrage at this mass fingerprinting of children without proper public and political debate," he said. | "I have been contacted by local parents and I share their outrage at this mass fingerprinting of children without proper public and political debate," he said. |
| "Quite apart from anything else it is difficult to see how you can justify such a huge expenditure for the sake of a few school library books." | "Quite apart from anything else it is difficult to see how you can justify such a huge expenditure for the sake of a few school library books." |
| The party has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament seeking a debate of the issue. | The party has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament seeking a debate of the issue. |
| "We should be encouraging children to understand and value their civil liberties," said the Greens' speaker on justice and communities Patrick Harvie. | "We should be encouraging children to understand and value their civil liberties," said the Greens' speaker on justice and communities Patrick Harvie. |
| "Instead there is a danger that we will be teaching the next generation to surrender them without question." | "Instead there is a danger that we will be teaching the next generation to surrender them without question." |