EDUCATION chiefs have been accused of trying to force secondary pupils to carry ID cards by refusing to serve school dinners to dissenters. Scottish Borders Council told parents children not carrying the electronic microchipped National Entitlement Card (NEC) will not be fed.
Campaigners fear the controversial tactics are part of a "back door" strategy to foist the Home Office's National Identity Register on Scots.
But the local authority's diktat is also in direct contravention of a Scottish government assurance to parliament last year. Finance minister John Swinney - keen to distance the NEC from Westminster's ID project - promised school meals would not be tied into the card.
The government warned councils may break the law if they do anything to discourage children from canteen eating.
A spokeswoman said: "Authorities and schools who use the card to access school meals must also provide an alternative method for those students who do not wish to carry a card.
"The Schools (Scotland) Act 2007, among other things, ensures local authorities promote the uptake and benefits of school meals."
She added: "The Scottish government does not support compulsory use of National Entitlement Cards for local public services."
Scottish Borders told parents by letter pupils would have to carry the Young Scot card - a version of the NEC aimed at 11 to 26-year-olds - if they wanted to be fed.
It stated: "This is an exciting new way of paying for school meals with many advantages and benefits.
"We are combining cashless catering with the Young Scot card It is very important that your child has a Young Scot card as this will be the only way that they will be able to pay for their food."
The NEC was introduced in April 2006, intially to replace cardboard bus passes for pensioners.
But the scheme has grown to include students and children and is now being used to access other public amenities.
Ministers want all Scots to eventually use the cards when dealing with local authorities. More than a million have been issued, but campaigners have noticed similarities between the NEC and more ambitious ID schemes.
Scots who sign up get a unique number and their use of the card may be tracked by a computerised record called a Citizen's Account. Campaigners believe the system is an ID card by any other name.
Dr Geraint Bevan of campaign group NO2ID said: "No Scot should be forced to carry an ID card.
"Children should be educated in a caring environment, not tracked like prisoners before they can even spell surveillance'.
"Parents should be aware that these cards are being promoted in a range of ways, branded as Young Scot cards for discounts, concessionary travel and school meals. But accepting a card means lifetime enrolment on a database - a high price to pay."
Scottish Borders initially defended its policy on compulsory cards. But last night, the authority made a U-turn, admitting "alternative methods of accessing services will be available for those who do not wish to register for the NEC.
Human rights lawyer John Scott said: "Borders' change of heart is good news."
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