Kohima, 1 November (MTNews): In a significant development, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has formally conveyed its objections to the Government of Nagaland regarding the implementation of the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) in the state. The NSF’s concerns center around data security, administrative burdens, privacy, and cybersecurity associated with APAAR.
In their letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the NSF reiterated their staunch opposition to the recent efforts by the Department of School Education to implement APAAR, a controversial scheme aimed at establishing an Education Ecosystem Registry known as ‘EduLocker.’ NSF voiced concerns about the potential risks and challenges this system could pose to students’ rights and privacy and the added administrative burdens on educational institutions.
The NSF emphasized that APAAR, proposed by the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), aims to assign a unique identification number to every student from pre-primary to higher education, in addition to their existing Aadhaar ID. While the government has presented this initiative as a solution for tracking academic progress and achievements, the NSF has raised significant concerns.
Data security is a primary concern for the NSF, given the persistent issues related to privacy breaches associated with Aadhaar. They worry that the introduction of APAAR adds another layer of data collection and storage without adequate security measures, raising fears of potential breaches in an era when data breaches are on the rise.
Furthermore, the NSF believes that educational institutions are already grappling with administrative challenges, including optional Aadhaar verification for students. The introduction of APAAR, they argue, would only add to the workload of teaching faculty and staff, potentially impacting the quality of education.
The NSF also expressed doubts about the adequacy of parental consent for APAAR enrollment in safeguarding students’ rights and privacy. Despite government assurances that data would be shared only with relevant government agencies, the NSF remains skeptical, fearing misuse or data breaches.
Additionally, the NSF raised concerns about the potential vulnerability of the proposed District Information for Education portal to cyberattacks, putting students’ personal information at risk.
In light of these pressing concerns, the NSF has called for a comprehensive reconsideration of the APAAR initiative. They have urged the state government and relevant departments to engage in a wider consultation with all stakeholders, including parents, students, and educational institutions. The NSF emphasizes the importance of prioritizing data security, addressing administrative challenges, and engaging in an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders.
The NSF has further requested that the implementation of APAAR in Nagaland be suspended until a more comprehensive consultation takes place. They stress that participation in this exercise should be voluntary and not imposed on students and parents.
“We believe that a consultative and collaborative approach is crucial to ensure the well-being of our students and to maintain the integrity of the education system in Nagaland,” the NSF wrote.
“A thorough consultation on the matter is essential to develop a more robust and privacy-conscious solution for tracking students’ academic progress, one that is in the best interest of our students and educational institutions,” it added.
Further, the Federation demanded the department concerned that the present exercise in regard to the implementation process of APAAR in the state of Nagaland be kept in abeyance until wider consultation takes place.
The NSF also appealed to all the educational institutions that this exercise is not mandatory and, therefore, should not be enforced upon the students and the parents.