Maharashtra: State reiterates CCTV mandate for schools; parents say it's not enough

The move comes in response to recurring reports of child abuse in both public and private schools across Mumbai. Representation pic/istock

The Maharashtra School Education Department last week reiterated its directive for all government and local body schools to install CCTV camera circuits, either under the District Annual Plan or through other funding provisions. The move comes in response to recurring reports of child abuse in both public and private schools across Mumbai.

While many parents welcome the initiative, they warn that simply installing cameras is not enough. "To gain a parent's trust, CCTV cameras alone won't suffice. Issues like blind spots, limited or edited footage, and lack of monitoring, along with uncovered areas such as washrooms and storage rooms, still leave children vulnerable," said a Mumbai parent whose daughter was allegedly a POCSO victim.

She added, "In POCSO cases, CCTV footage is crucial evidence. Schools should disclose the number of cameras installed, their vendors, and where the data is stored to prevent malpractice."

Though several private schools comply with surveillance norms, many state schools lag behind. According to the latest Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data, only 41,295 of Maharashtra's 1,08,157 schools have installed CCTV cameras - leaving over half the schools without any surveillance.

"It is vital for schools to follow government-mandated safety regulations. While private and aided schools are making efforts, zilla parishad and civic-run schools are falling behind. Stricter actions are needed against schools that fail to comply," said Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals' Association.