School fingerprinting :: Update
28 03 2007This is a follow up post to the school fingerprinting issue I posted about yesterday.
Just today I managed to speak with the Head Teacher at our school (I had to collar her as she was busy trying to run away from me at the time!). To cut a long story short, she just reiterated what was in her original letter. Although, from her reaction and body language, she did appear to be rather uncomfortable with the whole issue, just stating repeatedly that legally they are doing nothing wrong. She also explained that another letter will be going out tomorrow in reply to my concerns.
I then pressed her on why the school did not first seek consent from the parents before implementing such a system. I was rather surprised at her response… She explained that letters were sent out giving the parents the option of opting out. I say surprised because no such letter was ever sent out! Her statement was completely false!
She then stated that I was the only one who had come forward with a complaint, basically implying that I was just being paranoid about all this!
She did, however, explain that my 5 year old’s fingerprints will not be taken, which is a start I suppose. Although, I have since discovered from another parent that they have just today taken fingerprints of all the children (apart from my son), a day after I sent in my letter. The timing of this seems a little suspect it has to be said. The Head Teacher also made no mention of this when we spoke.
I have now decided to draft a single page letter to hand out to parents outside the school. A couple of parents have volunteered to copy and hand them out tomorrow afternoon.
In this letter I provide some brief information about the fingerprinting, and have asked them to visit LTKA for further information. I’ve also added a form at the bottom for the parents to fill in and hand into the school, asking them to remove all fingerprint data for their child.
I really hope the parents take these concerns seriously and make a stand!
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Please keep us posted on this. It will be interesting to see how the school and other parents receive your hand out.
Good luck.
Many thanks for your blog posting. Just read it. I’ve just signed the petition as linked from your site actually:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/kidsprivacy/?bcsi_scan_9D0F4D43E3840141=0
Hi Taz,
Well done for making a stand and speaking out about this. People really do need to know about this fingerprinting scandal.
My son has just started a high school in South Leeds, West Yorkshire UK
I opted for this school because it *wasn’t* using biometrics.
We attended the opening evening prior to the six week holidays.
There was much emphasis about healthy nutritious food available in the school canteen that we could sample. At the time, I felt really good that my son was about to attend a decent school.
or so I thought……..
Then on the second day of the new term, a school letter arrived about the benefits of a cashless catering system. It was written in such a language that made the scheme appear to be ‘wonderful’. Nothing of any truthful explanation about biometric data collection. NOTHING to request parental permission, only that parents could attend a meeting.
Unfortunately the vast majority of parents who attended the meeting had absolutely no idea about what was really going. They believed the ’spin’ from the biometrics salesperson and The head teacher mentioning that the scheme was compulsory.
Less than 24 hours after the meeting most of the kids were quickly rounded up, had mugshots and fingerprints taken. I know for a fact that many of the kids were very scared, knowing instinctively that something was very wrong about this. The kids have been psychologically bullied in various ways to hand over their precious & very personal information.
Threats of going in the isolation unit, threats that they wouldn’t be able to attend school, no school trips or outings, not being able to eat food if they did not comply.
It is an absolute scandal.
Parents really do need to do their homework before they are even in a situation to make an informed choice about biometrics. How is this possible, when a scheme is quickly introduced by stealth and data collected from the children as quickly as possible?
If this was really such an open & honest scheme there would have been parental consultation about it long before its implementation. It would certainlly not have been introduced by stealth. Parents would have been asked for permission and children would not have to be frightened.
Incidentally I have already heard of around 7 courageous children who had the common sense to refuse to fingerprinted & photographed. Good on them!
Come on parents out there, inform yourselves about fingerprinting children
visit leavethemkidsalone.com and then make up your own minds.
I dont know if this site will be updated but the BBC are filming at the back of Morley High School regarding the cashless system (biometric)Thursday 4th October at 8.30 am I would appreciate any support from concerned parents as I have no contact numbers from any of you out there.
Morley Parents
Is your child missing a hot meal at school or has your child experienced any problems with the new ‘fingerprint’ system at Morley High School? If so please email morleyparents@yahoo.co.uk (anonymity assured)
What a disgrace! This smacks of common purpose — google Brian Gerrish.
Andy.