School plans eye scanners to identify pupils

PLANS have been unveiled to introduce retinal eye scan technology to identify schoolchildren.

The retinal scanners will be used at the new stg£14.5m Venerable Bede Church of England Aided School, which is due to open in Sunderland in September.

The technology will be used on pupils buying meals in the school canteen and in the library when children want to take out books.

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has questioned the financial and long-term health implications and said it would have “great concerns” if it was extended to include teaching staff.

Howard Brown, Sunderland secretary of the NUT, said: “I think there is a fine line between practical technology and James Bond technology and I think this might have crossed it.”

Ed Yates, headteacher of the 900-pupil school, said trained technicians will be able to scan up to 12 students per minute during lunchtime.

He said the technology was cost effective, safe and backed by pupils, but parents had not yet been consulted about the plans. “The retinal scan is safe, secure, very efficient and quick.”