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
Representational pic/iStock
The Maharashtra school education department recently reiterated its directive for all government schools to install CCTV camera circuits, either under the District Annual Plan or through other funding provisions. The move comes in response to reports of child abuse in both public and private schools across the city.
Some parents stated in our report that while cameras are welcome, there may be blind spots, limited or edited footage, and a lack of monitoring, along with uncovered areas such as washrooms and storage rooms, which means children may still be vulnerable.
We learn that several private schools comply with surveillance norms. Many state schools lag behind. According to the latest Unified District Information System for Education 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.
Surveillance acts as a deterrent and helps verify claims and nail the culprit in certain cases. It has proved useful and effective when curbing crime on the streets, so schools must adopt it.
Funds need to be allocated for surveillance, and schools must be proactive in procuring funds through available resources. Even a phased uptick in surveillance, though this too must not be spread too much, can help.
If cameras are already installed, they should be of good quality. Maintenance is also mandatory. Images must be clear for surveillance to be effective. Children must also be educated about harassment and not be afraid of speaking out. Schools, when they can, must have counselling avenues. Safety must be a priority in the syllabus.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
