Mumbai: After allocating a budget for enhanced security in the BMC schools, 6,666 CCTV cameras will be installed in the 2019-20 academic year. The BMC schools did not have CCTV cameras till now. To ensure safety and security of students, teachers and non-teaching staff, the education department has decided to install
CCTV cameras in all civic-run schools. The cameras will also be used to prevent entry of anti-social elements in schools. These will be installed around the plots of the municipal school buildings, which are closed or shut down and at the scout and guide camp sites, since all these properties belong to the civic body.
The initiative follows the parents’ repeated complaints about negligence of safety of children at the BMC schools. Paresh Naik, a parent said, “Our children are often left unattended in school without any surveillance. We understand teachers cannot attend to every student all the time. In case of an untoward incident, there is no provision to track the happening.”
In view of the complaints, the education department has allocated `24.30 crore for the project. Mahesh Palkar, BMC education officer, said, “We want to enhance safety measures by installing the CCTVs in schools. We want to reassure parents the security of the schoolchildren and staff are our priority.”
The teachers said the cameras will prevent entry of strangers or druggies in the non-functional or old municipal schools. Mamta Shirkhe, a teacher said, “Many civic schools are lying non-functional since years and have become a home for druggies and anti-social elements. The cameras will keep a watch on all school buildings and prevent such acts.”