The recent introduction of the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) student ID card scheme in India has generated significant confusion and skepticism within the education sector. This initiative has prompted questions from teachers, parents, and education experts who are seeking clarity on its necessity and expressing reservations about its associated consent forms, data security, and the mandatory nature of the scheme.

The "one-nation, one-student" programme, launched by the Union Ministry of Education, has drawn attention due to its proposal for a new student ID that will centralize academic records for students. To implement this scheme, the government has initiated the process of seeking consent from parents, particularly for students attending schools.

However, the directive issued by the state's school education department, instructing schools to begin collecting parental consent for the new ID, has faced strong opposition from various stakeholders. School administrators are particularly perplexed by the need for such an ID, considering the existence of comprehensive databases like the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), which already contain students' AADHAAR numbers.

Teachers stress that the consent process is the first step and may lead to additional data collection responsibilities imposed on schools. This prospect has raised concerns about the burden of non-academic tasks being placed on educational institutions.

Adding to the confusion is the consent form's inadequacies, particularly the absence of an option for refusal. Although the form mentions the possibility of withdrawing consent in the future, it contains a clause stating that data processed before consent withdrawal will remain unaffected. Furthermore, it specifies that data collected through this ID will be shared with entities involved in various educational activities, including educational institutions and recruitment agencies.

The lack of clarity regarding the course of action when parents choose not to provide consent further complicates the matter. Schools emphasize that parents typically lack awareness of this new ID scheme, which may discourage them from signing a consent form without a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications.

The APAAR student ID card scheme raises valid concerns related to data privacy, necessity, and the imperative need for comprehensive awareness and understanding among all stakeholders. The extent to which these concerns are addressed and whether the initiative garners broader acceptance among parents and educational institutions remains to be seen.