Nicola Woolcock
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Children are being tracked by micro-chips embedded in their uniforms in a trial at a secondary school.
The devices are used to monitor pupils’ movements and register their arrival in class on the teacher’s computer. Supply teachers can also be alerted if a student is likely to misbehave.
The chip connects with teachers’ computers to show a photograph of the pupil, data about academic performance and whether he or she is in the correct classroom. It can also restrict access to areas of the school. The radio frequency identification system is being tested at Hungerhill School in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Ten pupils began wearing a chip sewn into their uniforms eight months ago.
The scheme has drawn criticism from human rights campaigners. “Tagging is what we do to criminals we let out of prison early,” said David Cleater, from Leave Them Kids Alone, which campaigns against the finger-printing of pupils. “It is appalling.”
Graham Wakeling, the head teacher, denied that the school was adopting a “Big Brother” mentality. He said: “The system is not intrusive to the pupil in the slightest. The benefit is that it provides the immediate registration of the pupil as they enter the classroom. This supports staff as they are getting to know pupils. All the information it provides is already stored on the school information management system.” He said the children were all volunteers taking part in a science project.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said it intended electronic registration to log attendance on a schools data-base, not “logging every detail of every pupil via covert means”.

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In response to Bob from Seattle. I would suggest that before you make such comments a little research would benefit you very much. This is an RFID system. RFID has a read range of a few inches to upto a massive 10 metres. Tracking people is pretty useless with RFID. I think you're thinking of GPS. You can only track RFID where a chip passes a reader (within range). Unless you have a reader every 1-10 steps everywhere you walk then you don't no (cannot track) where that person is.
Yes you are right that all computer systems can be hacked, but passive RFID chips do not hold any information. These chips are merely triggers of access. Access to data on a system that maybe hacked from some other means. The data is already there and just like the swipe card you use at the store, ATM, or door, a RFID chip gives you access! Thats it!
Sally, Doncaster, UK
This system will not âbring pupils back to schoolâ that is a parent and local education responsibility. Class registration methods are outdated for todayâs curriculum. Lessons are shorter, and more subjects are delivered, time is increasingly scarce for teachers. Efficiency is improved through automatic registration. A school registration process does not improve the learning of the pupil. Data from the registration process can be used to improve the learning of the pupil. By providing immediate data of assessment, Special needs, and curriculum of an individual helps the teacher deliver a lesson to suit the âthere and nowâ needs of âyou the individualâ. This data is available in the school systems but takes many man hours to process. 2 ½ hours per week can be saved. Time to apply a personal touch, support a pupil, target weakness, praise individuals. The UK has a great educational system and developing systems such as this it shows we are looking to progress innovative ideas.
Andy, Doncaster, UK
This system will not âbring pupils back to schoolâ that is a parent and local education responsibility. Class registration methods are outdated for todayâs curriculum. Lessons are shorter, and more subjects are delivered, time is increasingly scarce for teachers. Efficiency is improved through automatic registration. A school registration process does not improve the learning of the pupil. Data from the registration process can be used to improve the learning of the pupil. By providing immediate data of assessment, Special needs, and curriculum of an individual helps the teacher deliver a lesson to suit the âthere and nowâ needs of âyou the individualâ. This data is available in the school systems but takes many man hours to process. 2 ½ hours per week can be saved. Time to apply a personal touch, support a pupil, target weakness, praise individuals. The UK has a great educational system and developing systems such as this it shows we are looking to progress innovative ideas.
Andy, Doncaster, UK
Notice it starts with children....that is because we all fear losing our children...good way to get it mainstreamed before moving it along to everyone else....and Bob is right...all computer systems can be hacked! EVERYONE of them..so what sounds like such a good idea now will turn into instant tyranny when all of these RFID readers get turned on at the same time. And forget about rising up and fighting it then, because the moment you go to meet like minded people...BAM...in jail for you....
So I hope you're ready to be herded and lead just like branded cattle..cause that's all we'll become...CATTLE.
NikkyAnna, phila, pa
I am a strict constitutionalist. With that said, I have to say that I do agree with placing the chip on the clothing. It is not permanent. I have a daughter and nothing scares me more than her being taken by a stranger. I also dont think that a six-year old child is going to care much about it. We as parents have to decide whether or not we approve or disapprove of the chip. In my case, I would say yes. In your case, you might say no, I think about all else the freedom to choose must remain in the equation!
Jose, Brooklyn, NY
All I can say is that I saw this coming and I feel sorry for all the children victimized this way. it's like a kid can't even go to the bathroom no more without someone knowing it. I kind of prefer when I got bullied in schools than to have someone follow me 24/7. This is disgusting! We cannot let this insanity go any further. Children have a right to privacy. This is like the Holocaust all over again.
Vera, Mississauga,
Nice, now I don't have to physically follow the kids, I can simply hack their data and pick my time and place to molest/kidnap/expose myself to them. No more slinking around playgrounds in conspicuous cars, just a quick driveby as I'll know EXACTLY where the kid is, and if there are more than one around.
Come on people. Just say no. RFID is ridiculously easy to hack into. and tech used for 'innocent purposes" often gets it's hands dirty.
Bob Mac Donnell, Seattle, Wa
Place the uniform into the microwave, cook on high for 10 seconds. Problem solved, no more big brother!
Jason Kennerly, Tempe, Arizona
And this will do what exactly if it is regarded as successful? Cost a huge amount of money to tell the school that the kids are in bed, at a local shopping centre or at the 'chippy'. I'll tell you one thing it won't do, it won't get truants back into school because there's absolutely nothing there for them. It would be a complete waste.
Judy , Liverpool, england