Local student database raises privacy fears

(JB) A Luxembourg students' union has raised fears that privacy will be breached under government plans for a student database.

The Ministry of Education is compiling a vast database of personal information about the country's students, including names, addresses, nationality and socio-professional background of parents.

Its aim is to help the ministry tailor efforts to suit the needs of students however, national students' union UNEL has raised concerns it may go too far.

Union spokesperson Kim Diderich explained in a press statement: “UNEL is of the opinion that this principle is a welcome step. In fact, there is not enough or no complete statistics, which make a proper evaluation of school processes possible. UNEL however, requests that this is not at the expense of the privacy of the students and that the bill will ensure stricter data protection rules.”

Bill 6284 will permit the government to compile personal data about thousands of students in Luxembourg.

Among the data to be recorded will be names, addresses, reference numbers, native language, nationality and class and background of parents.

UNEL has suggested that the body responsible for compiling the data separates personal information (names and addresses) from statistical information to protect the privacy of students concerned.

Furthermore, it has suggested that all information be deleted 15 years after the individual has completed their schooling.