Mr Gove wants teachers to be allowed to search pupils for any item that’s against school rules. He also thinks they should be able to search children’s mobiles, or other electronic devices, and delete files, images and other content. There’s no limit on the items teachers can search for under the Government’s proposed Education Bill. There’s nothing to stop them from looking at, and deleting, highly sensitive and personal information.
Such intrusive, unjustified powers would never be accepted in the workplace, or indeed the street, so why in the classroom? Of course children are different to adults, but surely that means they demand greater protection, not less? Most disturbingly, these sweeping powers will apply to youngsters under 10 as well – despite the fact they’re below the age of criminal responsibility, and cannot legally commit offences.
No-one denies that discipline in the classroom is challenging. But are these new powers really going to help teachers keep order? Not according to teaching union NASUWT, who have condemned the Government’s proposals. They point to the fact that the use of unnecessary coercive powers is more likely to increase confrontation – doing nothing for the delicate relationship of trust and confidence between teacher and student.
What’s more, teachers already have significant powers at their disposal, including the power to confiscate items when necessary. They can also search for illegal items like knives and banned substances, or for things like alcohol. Allowing teachers to search for these items – a move made by the last Government – was controversial enough. Let’s not forget that teachers are principally charged with educating, rather than policing, our kids. Search powers have, for very good reason, traditionally been restricted to trained police officers.
Aside from the array of safety concerns inherent in this wrong-headed scheme, what kind of message does this send to young people? That privacy and individual dignity can be disregarded at a whim? That respect for personal autonomy is a one-way street? In an age where more and more schools are putting up CCTV in classrooms and playgrounds, banning kids from taking their own pictures is one hypocritical step too far.
