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Scarborough school defends its new system - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCALBY school has defended its decision to introduce controversial biometric equipment despite fears it could damage pupils' freedom.
The school has brought in a cashless catering system and library-based programme that function by reading students' fingerprints.
However, the introduction of such facilities - which have been adapted by hundreds of schools across the country - has brought strong criticism from the Association of Teachers, who have described it as abusing pupils' liberties and creating a stealth database.
But Scalby School headteacher Paul Tarn allayed fears over the new technology and said it was pivotal in providing student's greater freedom, whilst allowing parent's more control.
He said: "This is definitely a step in the right direction and I am absolutely perplexed by the reaction of people who always revert back to George Orwell's 1984 book, because that is just received wisdom.
"To link this process to that is complete nonsense because we're not sending any DNA away and the fingerprint system is nothing like as detailed as the one that the police use."
Under current legislation, schools are not legally required to consult parents before collecting data, although the Government has advised them to do so, and Mr Tarn added the new catering system - which gives pupils a 4 daily spending limit - was extremely important in ensuring parents know their children are getting a balanced meal each day.
He said: "It is about empowerment and allows parents to find out what their children are spending their money on and make sure they are eating a healthy meal.
"Parents who give dinner money for the week can keep up to date with what it is being spent on, and because it can't be transferred between pupils the beauty is parents can ensure their child is eating a balanced meal.
"It is also a great social leveller and if a child is entitled to a free meal, it takes away the potential stigma of fellow pupils finding out."
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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