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Student database to be created Student database to be created
(about 1 hour later)
Every 14-year-old in England will have their personal details and exam results recorded on a permanent database under a government scheme.Every 14-year-old in England will have their personal details and exam results recorded on a permanent database under a government scheme.
Employers will be able to check exam results and other information on a tamper-proof "online CV".Employers will be able to check exam results and other information on a tamper-proof "online CV".
Every child will also be issued with a lifelong Unique Learner Number.Every child will also be issued with a lifelong Unique Learner Number.
They will be able to correct factual errors in data held - but critics say it could lead to school records being used against pupils in later life.They will be able to correct factual errors in data held - but critics say it could lead to school records being used against pupils in later life.
There are also concerns it will be used as a step towards introducing identity cards, although this is denied by officials. Exclusions and expulsions are reportedly to be recorded on the database, although these will not be made available to potential employers.
There are also concerns the system will be used as a step towards introducing identity cards, although this is denied by officials.
Pupils in English schools already have a learner number but it is currently destroyed when they leave school.Pupils in English schools already have a learner number but it is currently destroyed when they leave school.
Exam resultsExam results
Under the Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) system - to be launched on Thursday by higher education minister Bill Rammell - the number will stay with them until they retire.Under the Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) system - to be launched on Thursday by higher education minister Bill Rammell - the number will stay with them until they retire.
It is meant to allow students to build up a lifelong record of educational participation. It is meant to allow students to build up a lifelong record of educational participation. It will also allow employers to check the qualifications of people applying for jobs.
It will also allow employers to check the qualifications of people applying for jobs. People will be able to look up their exam results and other personal details online by entering their unique learner number.
Students will be able to look up their exam results and other personal details online by entering their unique learner number.
They will be able to correct any factual errors, provided they can prove their identity, but they will not be able to delete records.They will be able to correct any factual errors, provided they can prove their identity, but they will not be able to delete records.
They can then give another password to potential employers to allow them to access their educational record - although MIAP says this view "will only display successful achievements". They can then give another password to potential employers to allow them to access their exam results - although MIAP says this view "will only display successful achievements".
Identity card fears "It is just a way of making life easier for learners and employers. It is something we think will help people looking for work," a spokesman for Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said.
But anti-ID campaigners are concerned the scheme could be a way of introducing identity cards through the back door. He also dismissed security concerns, saying the system was "cast-iron in terms of integrity".
ID card fears
But Conservative education spokesman Michael Gove told The Times: "The government has a terrible track record in managing complex IT programmes.
"Recent events have shown that sensitive personal data in ministers' hands.
"There must be profound worries, not just in terms of civil liberties, but also in terms of the security of young people."
Anti-ID campaigners are also concerned the MIAP scheme could be a way of introducing identity cards through the back door.
Phil Booth, of the NO2ID campaign, said: "The ID programme is looking shaky, now another dodgy database emerges.Phil Booth, of the NO2ID campaign, said: "The ID programme is looking shaky, now another dodgy database emerges.
"The unique numbering of people for life is dangerously close to the core of the National Identity Scheme."The unique numbering of people for life is dangerously close to the core of the National Identity Scheme.
"It means every mistake you make as a child will follow you for life through an official government-assigned number.""It means every mistake you make as a child will follow you for life through an official government-assigned number."
There are also concerns about data security. 'Privacy' threat
Last year, the government put another planned database of children, ContactPoint, on hold pending a security review and changes to the system including its access controls.Last year, the government put another planned database of children, ContactPoint, on hold pending a security review and changes to the system including its access controls.
ContactPoint is designed for use by child protection agencies.ContactPoint is designed for use by child protection agencies.
It holds name, address, date of birth, gender, parental contact information, details of school and any professionals working with the child.It holds name, address, date of birth, gender, parental contact information, details of school and any professionals working with the child.
The review was ordered after the loss by HM Revenue and Customs of two discs containing the personal and bank details of 25 million people.
In a separate development, the Conservatives have released research on 13 new powers it says are being sought by the government to gain entry to people's homes.
A Tory spokesman said the powers - which includes the right of officials to break into cars if they suspect the owner is evading road pricing laws - "make a mockery of Gordon Brown's pledge to curtail the threat to liberty and privacy".