i don't agree with the HE attendance monitoring thing either, but it's a a long way from needing to know where every schoolchild was born. The Tier 4 visa thing was the thin end of the wedge, it's in the past and we're currently hurtling towards something considerably uglier.
Those teaching at universities are required to take attendance so the home office can make sure foreign students meet visa requirements.
Everyone works for the state. Big society, innit.