All Scottish students will be issued an identity number in an effort to streamline student information sharing and improve child protection strategies, according to the Scottish Executive.

The unique pupil ID numbers, known as Scottish Candidate Number (SCN), will allow pupil records containing key information to be quickly shared between schools and councils.

When students transfer between schools, this will ensure their records go with them so their progress can be properly monitored. The system will also eliminate confusion over children with the same name.

The identity numbers will also aid child protection services. Of the thousands of children that change schools every year, some do not make it to their new school, according to The Scotsman. The identity numbers will help trace the children that go missing.

ID numbers were originally given to pupils in third year of secondary as a unique identifier for exams, but will now be given to all new pupils starting primary one or entering into the Scottish education system from the summer of this year. This scheme does not apply to private schools.