CID probe sought into 'misuse' of students' data by officials

The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) and JD(S) MLC Puttanna have demanded that the state government conduct an inquiry by the CID into misuse of student data by officials in the department of Education.

Shashi Kumar D, general secretary, KAMS, alleged that data on schools and students collected by the Education department for administrative purposes was being misused. Assurances by department officials that their data is secure have not allayed their fears, Kumar said.

"Parents and students are receiving phone calls at 9 pm and 10 pm from unknown numbers. The caller knows exactly which class and school the student is enrolled in. They offer discounts to the students for shifting to a different school," he said. They are concerned about the source of the student details, Kumar said. He termed it a 'target-group marketing strategy' which may have the involvement of officials in the Education department.

Puttanna demanded that the state government should conduct an independent inquiry, from a third party agency, on all the officials from the rank of Principal Secretary to Block Education Officers.

They also questioned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed between a private party and the Education department for a mobile application called 'SchooGlink'. Concerns regarding privacy were raised and KAMS questioned how private data could be shared with a third party.

After media reports, the MoU had been cancelled.

"Who approved that MoU? How did they decide to share the data? There has to be an investigation into this. If we don't get a response in two days on this matter, we know how to take it forward," Puttanna said.

They have already apprised the Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait of the matter and they will be approaching the chief minister also soon, he said.

Puttanna further questioned Principal Secretary Shalini Rajneesh for going on leave when the second year PU examinations are underway and the SSLC examinations are around the corner.