WI-FI technology will continue to be used in island schools despite health concerns. The secretary of a teaching union wants its use suspended while an investigation is carried out.
And a BBC Panorama investigation reported that a wi-fi network in a Norwich comprehensive gave off three times as much radiation as a typical phone mast, although some scientists have questioned this.
Education said it was monitoring the situation and would take the necessary measures to comply with health and safety guidelines.
‘Wireless networks present opportunities for learning which are widely appreciated by schools. The evidence that these can be harmful to health is inconclusive and small compared with widely held opinion,’ said a spokesman.
The claim that the technology is unsafe was made by Philip Parkin, of the Professional Association of Teachers.
He said that children were effectively acting as guinea pigs because the risk had not yet been thoroughly considered.
Education said that it took its duty of care and responsibility to young people to maintain a safe environment in schools very seriously.
Before the installation of the networks it sought advice from the principle agencies with responsibility for this area, including the National Radiological Protection Board, which advises on radiation levels.
‘The advice was then, and remains, that used and installed correctly, no significant health risk is posed by the use of WLANs in schools,’ said the spokesman.
‘The department also sought information from other local authorities with regard to their own research and measurements, which drew similar conclusions.’
This concurs with a large body of international research, the spokesman said.
The principal network in all States schools is a wired one.
In 2005, the decision was taken to augment those with WLANs to provide flexibility.
Wireless networks allow laptops to be used in areas where data and power points might not be available. It also allows for one computer per student use when required.
Education insists the use of the wireless networks is not continuous and generally for limited periods. Computers required for extended use are generally wired.
Article posted on 1st September, 2007 - 12.00am
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