Teachers of UK Criticize ‘E-Spying’ Software

As per UK's Teachers Union, NASUWT or (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers), e-safety software is reportedly used for keeping a track of the members, thus resulting in unnecessary spying in several cases.

Details reveal that the alleged spyware or software is used by schools to handle cyber-bullying and prohibit students from accessing inappropriate sites. Such software can trace an individual's online activity, which includes messages sent and web pages accessed.

But, the system has too many negatives linked with itself. For instance, one spyware program or software package called Policy Central captures snapshots of what is visible on the computer screen and sends them straight away to the headteacher. The images, varying from a Facebook page to pop-ups containing viruses or even a spam, are harvested on the teacher's file.

Besides NASUWT, another major union of classroom teachers, the NUT, also stated that it is really worried about the spyware usage. It plans to send out directions to its members to stop such infiltrations into the personal lives of teachers, as per the news published by tes.co.uk on February 12, 2010.

Roger King, NUT (National Union of Teachers) Birmingham General Secretary, conveyed his worry and stated that he is surprised how it is legal for the school to search and read the personal e-mails of the teachers sent from their home PCs to the school, as per the news published by tes.co.uk on February 12, 2010.

However, those schools that have launched the system are not ready to get into the unnecessary debate and think the positives associated with surpass the negatives indulged and being emphasized.

As per them such software provides security for teachers in cases where fake charges were made against them or where they were being harassed by students or their heads. As a precautionary step, experts suggested schools to manage a clear acceptable policy for all the users using the network, so that they have a clear idea of what is considered right and comprehend the consequences in case policies are violated.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/22/2010