- Schoolchildren are to be issued with a new "smart"
ID card in a pilot scheme which will record what they eat and drink at
school canteens and vending machines to allow parents to monitor their
intake of chips and fizzy drinks.
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- The new Dialogue Youth cards are to be introduced on
Wednesday at the new supercampus incorporating three schools in Midlothian,
comprising Dalkeith High School, St David's High and Saltersgate school
for children with special needs.
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- The use of the cards to monitor eating habits is the
latest initiative introduced to fight rising levels of obesity amongst
children.
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- The photo ID card is part of a cashless system in the
dining areas. Once pupils have topped up the cards with credit, IT systems
at the school will be able to record every purchase a pupil makes from
the schools' canteen, cafe and vending machines. Those who choose salads
and other healthy options will be rewarded with discounts or privileged
access to activities.
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- The education department of Midlothian Council has confirmed
that the cards will be used to monitor whether children are buying too
many chips and fizzy drinks. If their diet is unhealthy their parents will
be informed. If the pilot scheme is deemed a success it could be introduced
by other local authorities.
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- Judith Gillespie, development manager for the Scottish
Parent Teacher Council said she thought the idea was appalling. "If
a kid can't indulge in a Mars Bar without parents being told, it is absolutely
awful," she said. "As a parent I know that you are not wildly
happy about them stuffing their faces with chocolate but for some kids
that is a learning process they have to go through for themselves."
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- Parents and schools should not impose more monitoring
on children than they would be willing to accept themselves, she said.
"Some parents might not feel that it is a problem. Healthy eating
is certainly a desirable outcome, but this smacks too much of Brave New
World."
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- Sonia Kodiak, EIS representative for the region and a
teacher at Dalkeith High, said staff had not been told who would be responsible
for keeping tabs on pupils' purchases. "It might fall to guidance
staff, but I would have thought they would have enough to do. It seems
like a good idea for new pupils starting at the school when parents tend
to be slightly more concerned. But when you have kids who are 14 or older
I can't see how you could make them do anything."
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- Parents have had to sign up to allow pupils' details
to be held under the data protection act, and some had refused, Kodiak
said. "A few parents in principle would disagree and see it as being
like an ID card."
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- ©2003 Newsquest (Sunday Herald) Limited. all rights
reserved.
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- http://www.sundayherald.com/37698
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