Teacher unions in Australia have reacted angrily to a plan by the Federal Government to give every school student an identity number.
Education Minister Julia Gillard said on Wednesday that all school students will soon be assigned an identity number so their academic results can be tracked on the My School website.
Australian Education Union president Angelo Gavrielatos says neither teachers nor their representatives were consulted about the plan and it was "yet another announcement" without any meaningful consultation.
The New South Wales Teachers Federation agreed, describing the approach as "insulting".
Mr Lipscombe says Ms Gillard should be discussing the issues with teachers, not undermining them.
The ABC reports the programme has also sparked concern from civil liberty groups and the Opposition, which says the programme will depersonalise children.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says it is a national identity card via the back door.
