The Scottish government has temporarily halted access to data collected from a controversial school survey conducted in 2021. Over 130,000 schoolchildren participated in the census, which utilized an "opt-out" model, leading to significant concerns over informed consent and pupil anonymity. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced the pause, acknowledging the need for improved data collection practices.
The survey targeted pupils in S4 to S6 across Scotland, focusing on topics such as physical and mental health, bullying, and academic pressures. However, half of Scotland's 32 councils opted out due to apprehensions regarding the lack of parental consent and potential breaches of anonymity. Despite assurances from the government that pupils would not be identifiable, these concerns prompted several councils to withdraw.
In contrast, 16 councils, including Angus, Clackmannanshire, and Edinburgh, proceeded with the survey. The data gathered was advertised for external research use, further fueling the debate over consent. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office guidelines stipulate that consent should be "opt-in," which contradicts the approach employed in this instance.
Jenny Gilruth, addressing these concerns, stated:
"I, as Cabinet Secretary, have also taken a decision to pause how we collect this data."
She emphasized the government's recognition of public sentiment on this issue and acknowledged that data collection had occurred only once. The education secretary also admitted the necessity for improvement:
"I do need to reflect that I think we need to do better in the future in relation to how that's done."
The survey's suspension highlights the ongoing tension between data collection for educational policy development and the ethical considerations surrounding pupil privacy and consent. The Scottish government now faces the challenge of balancing these priorities while adhering to legal and ethical standards.
