Sceptical MPs agree to consider ID for kids

Three-year-olds face being issued with a lifetime ID number when they walk into kindergarten for the first time, Parliament was told yesterday.

Sceptical MPs agreed to consider the proposal for national student numbers contained in the Education Amendment Bill when it was debated in Parliament for the first time.

The Government wants to give students a unique identifier similar to that used by the health service.

It will also help track children who are not enrolled or move frequently.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said it would stop double-dipping on free early childhood education hours.

The Government plans to introduce 20 hours of free education for three and four-year-olds at community-run or non-profit centres in a few years.

Tertiary and some senior secondary school students already have numbers for enrolments and exams and the bill proposes to widen that to all.

It would help schools and education officials keep track of children who are not enrolled or who frequently change schools. It would also help them develop policy and undertake long-term research.

MPs from several parties expressed doubt about the proposal but agreed it should go forward to a select committee for consideration.

In the bill as drafted, access to the student numbers and information is restricted to education agencies. The maximum fine for misusing the identification numbers is $15,000.

Approved uses would include monitoring enrolments and attendance, ensuring schools are properly resourced, and to collect statistics and do research.

The bill sets out a licensing regime that will bring in more than 1000 privately owned early childhood education centres.

Under the new bill a high quality of standard would be required and all early childhood education and care centres will need to get licences.

It is proposed that the changes would be phased in over six years.

- NZPA