The state legislative of Hunter today announced the creation of a referendum for the upcoming election regarding student privacy. The referendum if approved will provide laptops to every student in districts that meet the state requirements. The catch for state funding of laptops is that these laptops will include webcams that can be activated on demand and track what a student is doing at any given time.
Several interest groups have publicly stated opposition against the laptop referendum. Riegle Far, leader of the FCC (Franklinites for a Conservative Change) said that they fear higher taxes included in the referendum to raise state money for the laptops. A representative from the Civil Liberties Council, Wayne Plant stated. "The CLC believes that the the ability to spy on private citizens with any of sort of visual device is an invasion of privacy and violates the Franklin Compact."
Other groups are in favor of the laptop referendum. The NTU (National Teacher Union) in particular supports the laptop referendum. A written statement was sent to Trio News from the NTU saying towards the end of the statement, "As schools become more electronic based, computers will be a necessity for students and this referendum is a step foward in establishing the future of public schooling."
Questions must be raised. Will other states consider similar referendums or laws in the future. Is it truly an invasion of privacy or is it part of the change to electronic connected schooling? What will the future plurality party do?
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The activation of webcams on demand by teachers on students laptops, even if it is provided by the state. This is a major violation of the rights of the students. The Flyer Party moves to remove the option of on demand activation of webcams. We support the provision of laptops to students, even if provided by tax payer funds. However this violation must be laid to rest.
The WOP supports the NTU. If money is raised to provide laptop, the students will have more resources and more of an advantage in getting things done. The WOP doesn't agree that it invades privacy because, considering that this is a public school financing problem, then the school should be able to set limits on who is and is not allowed on websites. Why would it be breaking privacy when it is the school's job to make sure that education comes first? The students should not be on any sites that they should not be on in the first place. Because of this, we believe that the need of webcams are necessary.
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