Fingerprinting guidance 'does not go far enough'

After months of campaigning the Government has finally provided guidance on the practice of fingerprinting in schools.

Cambridge MP, David Howarth, has been backing local campaign Leave Them Kids Alone after St Matthew's School in Cambridge began fingerprinting pupils' as part of a new library card system. He commented on the news:

"At last the Government has realised the importance of providing guidance for schools on this matter. Schools have been operating in a vacuum for far too long.

David Howarth MP

"Fingerprinting in schools is becoming more and more widespread while even China has banned the practice because it infringes children's rights. The guidance issued this week does not go far enough as there is still no requirement for parents to give consent before their child's fingerprints are taken."