CALL TO BAN WI-FI IN THE CLASSROOM; Research worry.

Byline: COLM DONNELLY

A CAMPAIGNER against the use of wireless technology in schools has welcomed a headmaster's decision not to install it in his primary.

Walter Graham, from Downpatrick, has lobbied political parties at Stormont and district councils in his fight against the new technology he claims has yet to be proved safe.

He described headmaster Ian Thompson of Ballinderry Primary School's decision to say no to Wi-Fi as "properly erring on the side of caution".

The Antrim teacher said he had responded to health fears expressed by a parent of a child at his school and would need more definitive reassurances on the technology before using it.

He added: "We really don't know the biological end of this, which is the thing that really concerns us. It's all right saying there's no heat from it, we accept that, but we don't know what's going on inside."

Last year, Ballycarrickmaddy Primary in Lisburn removed its Wi-Fi system amid health concerns.

Mr Graham, 61, claimed that there is currently conflicting information concerning the Wi-Fi system and more research needs to be done on it.

He said: "European countries are becoming much more cautious about rolling out Wi-Fi and we in Northern Ireland need, first and foremost, to protect our children."