Now, CCTV cameras have come to the aid of schoolauthorities. Besides monitoring activities of students and teachers entry ofunauthorized persons could also come under a scanner through the cameras. Butthen not everybody is listening.
School principals feel installation of CCTV cameras makes iteasier to keep check on students, as well as teachers.
“We have installed cameras two years back, which is verybenefitting as monitoring everyone is difficult in school premises. We haveplaced camera at the entrances, corridors, library etc. which constantly keepstrack of movement of not only teachers and students but also outsiders,” saidFr Dominc Savio Fernendes, Prinicipal of the popular Don Bosco High School inPanjim.
With increase in crime against children, Panjim police hadadvised all schools within the city to install CCTV cameras.
Besides monitoring, CCTV cameras also record incidents whichcan be beneficial in the future.
There are 30 schools in the city.
“It was a suggestion made to all schools. We observed thatoutsiders loiter around schools especially during interval and closing hours ofschools,” DySP Umesh Gaonkar said.
“If CCTVs are installed than unusual activities can bemonitored and appropriate action can be taken later,” he added.
According to Fr Dominic after installation of camerasseveral cases of students’ misbehaviour or bag picking were found andappropriate action was taken.
“We even caught a person with the help of CCTV footage whohad picked up bags from the parking area,” he said.
Headmistress of Mushtifund School, Aparna Chari said, “Wehave CCTV cameras in our school which is very beneficial. We observe kidsbehavior in school and later report them to their parents. Even missing ofbooks from the library has reduced.”
But all schools are not in a position to install cameras dueto the cost factor. Many schools cannot afford the investment involved. Out of30 schools in the city hardly 3 to 4 schools have installed the cameras.
“We have advised them to install the cameras but not allschools can afford it. After installation even the footage should be maintainedas it can come handy later,” PI Rajendra Prabhudessai said.
